Three days that will determine the legacy of a president

Cue the ominous music...

What will be proven once & for all is whether or not the SCOTUS has been compromised into an activist court!

Let the games begin...

Under the Affordable Care Act, being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition. Women no longer have to pay more than men for health coverage. Health care reform protects ALL of us from serious insurance abuses.

But Republican leaders want to "Kill it dead" (Romney). To be fair, GOP/Koch is OK with health care as long as you can pay for it on your own. Folks without the wherewithal are completely free to go away and die.

When you lose your job in the United States, you also lose your healthcare. That just doesn't happen in other countries. (Mind you, GOP is reluctant to provide unemployment benefits. And like their colleague Paul Ryan (R-WI), they're in favor of ending Medicare as we know it.)

Let's rewind back to the days before the Affordable Healthcare Act: Imagine a medical emergency in your family that you cannot pay for - you just don't have that kind of cash. You end up selling your house or you don't pay the bills. If you do the latter, your credit rating is trashed. Or maybe you go bankrupt.

Without the benefits and protections of the Affordable Healthcare Act, you and your family will once again be completely at the mercy of the insurance companies.

Republican elected officials are truly, madly, deeply concerned about the affluent having access to health care. They look out for insurance companies while the rest of us are free to hit the back streets. If GOP/Koch/Norquist get their way the everyday things we need most will be privatized: Police, Social Security, schools, firefighters, roads, bridges, postal services, national parks (Romney), you name it. And then we consumers will be All Used Up.

How the ACA is helping in your state: http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/map#healthcare-menu

"What will be proven once & for all is whether or not the SCOTUS has been compromised into an activist court!"

SCOTUS is well aware of this perception and may well vote 6 -3 to uphold the legislation. The Court does not rule against signature legislation and especially not in an election year.

Ron and Backhouse -- Great posts!

Also, I heard the President prefers the term ObamaCares!

Don't Carry, I like the term Obamacare as well!

It took 30 years to do this much damage to the middle class. And it will take a long time to put it back.

We can invest in a new future. The Affordable Care Act is saving countless lives and will put 30 million more enrollees, folks who have never had health care before on the books in 2014.

If GOP/Koch repeals the Individual Mandate, premiums will increase across the board by 25%. (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.)

If our President fails to win reelection the new President and Congress will spend another year trying to repeal and replace Obamacare. They did promise to replace … right … well Romney hasn’t, that I heard him say.

If it is repealed it must be replaced because it will bankrupt our country sooner, faster than any other issue we currently face.

But even with a Republican controlled House, Senate and Whitehouse it will be almost impossible to repeal the ACA law. In the Senate it will take 60 votes to achieve cloture to allow the repeal vote to come to the floor. It is very unlikely that the Republicans plus DINO’s will find the 60 votes needed.

Ron, I keep wondering when the media will challenge the lies spoken by the GOP candidates myself. They don't speak suggesting a notion, they flat out tell whoppers. Hard to believe Romney, Santorum and Gingrich can claim to be righteous Christians and yet tell lies daily without a second thought. I was taught that telling even a little white lie is a sin. The GOP candidates know they are lies but yet they just keep telling them. They're call Pinocchios for a reason--surprised these guys do not need dump trucks to haul their noses off the stage.

Dennis, no Romney hasn't said "repeal and replace" but the big signs behind him over the weekend said it. Wonder if he even knows what the signs said.

Backhouse, well said.

Ron Indiana

Romney is a different story. Not being a real conservative, he seems to lie even when he doesn't realize he's lying. Either he has no knowledge of what he is talking about, or he simply is betting that no one will call him on his lies. There is a third possibility. Like his father, George, Mittens has been "brainwashed" and like the Etch-a-Sketch, just shake him a bit and he becomes a blank screen

Indeed Ron,

Romney has no idea what the implications of LIES mean.

To answer your question since Rob-mey has such a robotic characteristic, I'll say he is being controlled by remote forces; therefore he has "No" idea what he is saying.

SENIORS TAKE NOTE:

The Affordable Care Act is working for seniors. Last year 4 million seniors saved approximately $2.16 billion via discounts for prescription medications.

"The 2010 health care law required a 50% discount on prescription drugs in the so-called doughnut hole, or the gap between traditional and catastrophic coverage in the Medicare drug benefit, also known as Part D. In 2012, the coverage gap is $2,930. The Affordable Care Act eliminates the doughnut hole by 2020.

The previous report, with numbers through the end of October, had shown 2.65 million Medicare recipients saved $1.5 billion on prescriptions. That rose to 3.76 million recipients by the end of December."

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/healthcare/story/2012-03-19/Seniors-see-savings-on-Rx-drugs-under-2010-health-care-law/53621502/1

Backhouse -- Not sure if you caught the special on CNN about the status of healthcare in this Country but just 5% of the people account for 50% of healthcare costs. Most of the costs derive from uninsured people using the Emergency Room for care. The figures are staggering. We must change the dynamics in our healthcare system!

Dennis - Congrats on your team going to Final Four!

Thanks Jody,

From a Wisconsin protestor:

"Only a grim reaper can be excited about fewer people getting healthcare."

Frank Rich:

The GOP’s woman problem is that it has a serious problem with women.

The GOP started backing away from its traditional beneficence on women’s issues at the tail end of the Nixon presidency. Nixon had a progressive GOP take for his time: He supported the Equal Rights Amendment, appointed an impressive number of talented women, and in 1972 signed the Equal Employment Opportunity Act to strengthen the policing of workplace discrimination. But, in a telling shift a few months earlier, he also vetoed a bipartisan bill enabling child care for the millions of mothers then rapidly joining the workforce. As Melich observes, it would have been consistent with GOP frugality if Nixon had rejected the bill solely because of its cost. But his veto was accompanied by a jarring statement that child care would threaten American families by encouraging women to work. The inspiration for this unexpected reactionary broadside came not from fundamentalist clergy but from cynical, secular political strategists eager to exploit the growing backlash against the sixties feminist movement, much as the “southern strategy” was exploiting the backlash against the sixties civil-rights movement.

This tactic preceded Roe v. Wade, which was decided in 1973. The new GOP was hostile to female liberation, period, not just female sexual freedom. The pitch was articulated by Newt Gingrich in his first successful congressional race in Georgia in 1978. His opponent, a state senator named Virginia Shapard, crusaded for the Equal Rights Amendment and bankrolled her own campaign. That uppity profile gave the Gingrich forces an advertising message: “Newt will take his family to Washington and keep them together; Virginia will go to Washington and leave her husband and children in the care of a nanny.” Newt won by nine percentage points. One of his campaign officials tied his victory to the strategy of “appealing to the prejudice against working women, against their not being home.”

To believe that Romney will somehow depart from his party’s misogyny in the White House, you have to believe that everything he has said about these issues during the primary campaign is a lie. You have to believe that the “real” Romney is the one who endorsed Roe v. Wade when he was running against Ted Kennedy in 1994, and that all the Etch A Sketch–ing since then has been a transitory attempt to pander to his party’s base. But a look at Romney’s personal history suggests that the real Romney is the one before us now—the sincere exponent of a deeply held faith whose entire top hierarchy is male and that still denies women the leadership roles that are bestowed on every Mormon male beginning at age 12. (At least blacks were finally granted full equality in the Church of Latter Day Saints in 1978.) The widely reported examples of Romney’s own personal behavior in his church roles as ward bishop and stake president in the Boston area suggest that he had not only never questioned this ethos but completely internalized it. He seems impervious to vulnerable women in crisis and need beyond his own family.

I don't trust the Republican controlled Supreme Court to fairly evaluate the Health Care Law. I really don't think they'll declare the WHOLE plan unconstitutional (at least I hope not), but I do think they'll call the "individual mandate" unconstitutional. If so, I don't like it, but I could live with it if they leave the rest of the plan intact. I'm betting they will, but you never know with these guys.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Obama in 2012.

Pat: Good to see you here on a Monday morning. Great post.

Beverly, hi.

Including Mexico, the number of nations cleared of enriched nuclear materials is now SIX. Where is the GOP gratitude??

Thanks to President Barack Obama WE ARE ALL SAFER - ALL OF US.

"WASHINGTON — The U.S. has helped five nations completely clear out their stocks of highly enriched uranium since President Barack Obama outlined his plans for securing all weapons-usable materials worldwide, officials say, citing it as progress in the administration's efforts to prevent nuclear weapons from getting in terrorists' hands."

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2109788,00.html#ixzz1qEP7Eax7

Without the individual mandate, the plan dies. I hope that is the case especially since the non-partisan (as many on the left has called it) CBO came out with a new report about now $1.7 trillion added to the deficit instead of the 890 billion promised.

Tom -- Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules we will move forward on the issues/problems concerning healthcare in this Country. We now have consensus that the system is broken. To turn away or leave it broken is unacceptable. We the People we not accept anything less. We cannot afford to turn away from this crisis.

Someone mentioned Romney has no plan to address the crisis. I ask then why would anyone in their right mind vote for someone who ignores problems? We need solutions and if a candidate is unwilling to offer any then they have no business running to be President.

Michael1969

Then why in the world should a conservative trust a socialist congress and president to comprise a health care law??????

Ummm, because conservative's past record of "F"ing up precedes them!!!

Ron -- Your basketball team lost and so does your argument. What nonsense.

Ben,

So, where did Republicans get their $1.76 trillion cost figure? That’s the gross cost for 11 years ending in 2022. Republicans inappropriately compare that figure to the original estimate of $938 billion for the 10-year period ending in 2019.

The 11-year figure is much higher because it includes three additional years of full implementation of the coverage provisions of the law. The federal subsidies and expansion of Medicaid, which are by far the most costly elements of the coverage provisions, don’t go into effect until 2014. So, that 2010-2019 estimate includes four years of very low coverage costs (relatively speaking), and the 11 year estimate only includes two years of very low costs, plus three extra years of full implementation costs.

Beverly in Chicago

Ummm, becaause comservative's past record of "F"ing up precedes them!!!

Settle down Bev.......it's all good....there can be more than one point of view!

Justice for our Justice System!

Ideology - very astute.

I suspect in Realpolitik terms, that is closer to the truth than anything else I've heard.

But regardless of whether they decide for or against ACA - their scandalous majority decision on Citizens United taints all of their other work -including this decision.

You're right' Ron. The media should not tolerate politicians who lie.

I gues the belated excoriation of Obama's lies about his dying mother will commence forthwith.

The most amusing thing about all this? All those screaming and complaining about this health care bill and whining about government staying out of health care are the same ones screaming from the roof tops "Don't touch my medicare!" (Should someone tell them that medicare is government run health car? - Naw)

Watched Link tv regarding hate groups. Republicans fit the definition perfectly. The embarrasement they have and are bringing to our nation is unforgivable. Shameful from word one. The root of the honorable GOP no longer lives nor breathes. The saddest fact this country has possibly ever faced; the dysfuntion republicans have brought to american politics.

Good grief, int he same breath some yokel can imply all GOPers are misogynists, I (and others) can just as readily say DFLers are about slamming men for their weaknesses but empower women to become amoralistic pigs.

Watch any modern TV show -- especially reality shows -- and you see how the American woman has become the bastion/poster child for vanity, anger, revenge, promiscuity, divorce, adultery and abortion services.

Disgusting.

If men are so readily publicly called pigs for having a natural higher sex drive and destoryed for being rapists or wife-beaters, pedophiles, et al.; the modern woman needs to stand up and take full responsibility to the decay of the modern woman's integrity.

Ben-636050

Ron -- Your basketball team lost and so does your argument. What nonsense

Ben,

What you just said is what I call "Trash Talk". Of course, for you "Trash Talk" is nothing unusual!!!!

Ben-ja-min,

The latest non-partisan Congressional Budget analysis of ACA shows the net cost of the coverage provisions will be about $50 billion LESS than previously estimated.

"That implies the law will cut more, not less, from the deficit than previous estimates suggested.

In other words, this estimate says the bill is more, not less, fiscally responsible than was previously reported." (Klein)

The Affordable Care Act is working for seniors. Last year 4 million seniors saved approximately $2.16 billion via discounts for prescription medications.

"The 2010 health care law required a 50% discount on prescription drugs in the so-called doughnut hole, or the gap between traditional and catastrophic coverage in the Medicare drug benefit, also known as Part D. In 2012, the coverage gap is $2,930. The Affordable Care Act eliminates the doughnut hole by 2020.

The previous report, with numbers through the end of October, had shown 2.65 million Medicare recipients saved $1.5 billion on prescriptions. That rose to 3.76 million recipients by the end of December."

So who paid for these "savings"? Was there a reduction in bureaucratic costs? Was there large savings in waste and fraud? Did the seniors rely more on generics, or did the drug companies absorb the costs?

Or, what really happened, is it just another unfunded entitlement that was paid for by borrowing 40 cents on the dollar? The people on the left like to claim that Medicare-D is one of the main drivers of the deficit, a Bush legacy. Well what has Obama done to fix this? Expanded it to cost more. What new taxes did the Democratic congress and Administration introduce to pay for the original entitlement and the expanded one?

Nada......11 years and counting of fiscal mismanagement.

"Ryan's budget won't kill Medicare as we know it, Arithmetic will kill Medicare as we know it"

FR:

White House senior adviser David Plouffe noted on Meet the Press Sunday that, in 10 years, health care will be a positive and cited polling that people don’t want to re-litigate it. We can report that last part came from Democratic polling Plouffe has seen; he was NOT citing any public polling on this specific issue.

That is NOT true. A recent Harris poll shows that most provisions of the health care law have majority support. The ban against using pre-existing conditions, for instance, is very popular. It's the individual mandate, is the only provision that has a majority favoring repeal. That's the "have your cake and eat it, too" philosophy that voters in their infinite wisdom prefer.

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/01/30/414597/poll-affordable-care-act-gaining-wider-acceptance/

There was another recent poll that showed 42% favored keeping the overall law and 41% opposed (Pew, I think, but I'm not sure).

So it's definitely not just Democratic private polling that indicates that the public doesn't want to "relitigate" the law, as it heads to the Supreme Court to be relitigated.

Good morning Ron. I'm reading all over that there are a lot of supporters of our health care legislation who have shown up @ the Supreme Court. But I bet the only one we'll hear from is Bachmann. The women who won't show up and do an honest day's work, at we the taxpayer's expense. Of course.

Beverly -- you are one confused person.

Backhouse -- You are a liar.

CBO: Obamacare to cost $1.76 trillion over 10 yrs

March 13, 2012 4:21pm 1143 Comments

CBO: Obamacare to cost $1.76 trillion over 10 yrs

byPhilip Klein Senior Editorial Writer

Follow on Twitter:

President Obama's national health care law will cost $1.76 trillion over a decade, according to a new projection released today by the Congressional Budget Office, rather than the $940 billion forecast when it was signed into law.

Democrats employed many accounting tricks when they were pushing through the national health care legislation, the most egregious of which was to delay full implementation of the law until 2014, so it would appear cheaper under the CBO's standard ten-year budget window and, at least on paper, meet Obama's pledge that the legislation would cost "around $900 billion over 10 years." When the final CBO score came out before passage, critics noted that the true 10 year cost would be far higher than advertised once projections accounted for full implementation.

Today, the CBO released new projections from 2013 extending through 2022, and the results are as critics expected: the ten-year cost of the law's core provisions to expand health insurance coverage has now ballooned to $1.76 trillion. That's because we now have estimates for Obamacare's first nine years of full implementation, rather than the mere six when it was signed into law. Only next year will we get a true ten-year cost estimate, if the law isn't overturned by the Supreme Court or repealed by then. Given that in 2022, the last year available, the gross cost of the coverage expansions are $265 billion, we're likely looking at about $2 trillion over the first decade, or more than double what Obama advertised.

Pity isn't it that people on this board actually vote

Good Morning Pat,

The frightening this is these are the same people who don't even know how many judges comprise the SCOTUS.

See comments below...

Over 100 posts and there are more posts about Rick's ropeline moment than this:

“This is my last election,” Obama can be heard telling Medvedev, per NBC’s Shawna Thomas Kristen Welker, and Alicia Jennings. “After my election, I have more flexibility.” To which Medvedev responds: “I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.” Obama: “On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space.”

____

I don't care about some rope line meltdown. What was the President thinking. I give no excuse for this cozying up with our natural born enemies. Yes we need to talk to the Russians but we need to talk out of strength not talk to them as if they were our allies. Politics should never be a factor in our discussions with the Russians. From a liberal who doesn't agree with a military defense shield in Europe, star wars or other useless, non functioning, wasteful expenditures, any president should do what is right for the country despite the political implications. He should not try to be flexible with the Russians, they will not be the same with us.

I don't know the full context but I am deeply dissapointed by the statement.

Ladies, I do believe that gimmeabreakoradrink-1132383 would like you all to put your burkas on. Apparently women's beauty is to blame for man's ugliness.

Pat, Good morning. Great post on GOP Anti-women Everything.

GOP is busily redefining rape, belitting victims of violence, attacking women's health and rights for starters.

From Move-on:

"1) Republicans not only want to reduce women's access to abortion care, they're actually trying to redefine rape. After a major backlash, they promised to stop. But they haven't yet. Shocker.

2) A state legislator in Georgia wants to change the legal term for victims of rape, stalking, and domestic violence to "accuser." But victims of other less gendered crimes, like burglary, would remain "victims."

3) In South Dakota, Republicans proposed a bill that could make it legal to murder a doctor who provides abortion care. (Yep, for real.)

4) Republicans want to cut nearly a billion dollars of food and other aid to low-income pregnant women, mothers, babies, and kids.

5) In Congress, Republicans have a bill that would let hospitals allow a woman to die rather than perform an abortion necessary to save her life.

6) Maryland Republicans ended all county money for a low-income kids' preschool program. Why? No need, they said. Women should really be home with the kids, not out working.

7) And at the federal level, Republicans want to cut that same program, Head Start, by $1 billion. That means over 200,000 kids could lose their spots in preschool.

8) Two-thirds of the elderly poor are women, and Republicans are taking aim at them too. A spending bill would cut funding for employment services, meals, and housing for senior citizens.

9) Congress just voted for a Republican amendment to cut all federal funding from Planned Parenthood health centers, one of the most trusted providers of basic health care and family planning in our country.

10) And if that wasn't enough, Republicans are pushing to eliminate all funds for the only federal family planning program. (For humans. But Republican Dan Burton has a bill to provide contraception for wild horses. You can't make this stuff up)."

Ideology,

I caught that. Wonder if he believes women should not vote or own property? (BTW, my burka is at the cleaners and won't be ready until forever)

Its not so much an activist court, as a court made up of the following:

Republican morons, and

Democratic morons.

What it takes to succeed in being a judge is the same thing it takes to be successful in a corporation. You have to lick the *ss-ring all the way up the line. And when your mouth stinks enough, and you've serviced all the people who want you to do what they want, and you've got enough diseases, and you are lucky enough, you get a seat on the highest court in the country.

Nobody picks Supreme Court justices because they know anything, anymore. They pick them because they think a certain way and justify their kiss *ssing with some bullsh*t line taken totally out of context from any case within the past 200 years. Maybe beyond that.

So who really cares what they say from the point of morality? The local jerks will love it if they agree with it and hate it if they don't. But nobody will respect it if they disagree, because you can't anymore. And it won't change until the system is literally overthrown.

Really, I'm surprised that nobody rioted over SuperPACs. It shows how much your average citizen is full of s**T when they act all upset about their so hated Republicans and Democrats. Enough people are happy to lick the floor under the dining room table that the Supreme Court should just completely do whatever they want, because like them, people will just suck it down their pie hole no matter what they do.

Paul Krugman:

Florida’s now-infamous Stand Your Ground law, which lets you shoot someone you consider threatening without facing arrest, let alone prosecution, sounds crazy — and it is. And it’s tempting to dismiss this law as the work of ignorant yahoos. But similar laws have been pushed across the nation, not by ignorant yahoos but by big corporations.

Specifically, language virtually identical to Florida’s law is featured in a template supplied to legislators in other states by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a corporate-backed organization that has managed to keep a low profile even as it exerts vast influence (only recently, thanks to yeoman work by the Center for Media and Democracy, has a clear picture of ALEC’s activities emerged). And if there is any silver lining to Trayvon Martin’s killing, it is that it might finally place a spotlight on what ALEC is doing to our society — and our democracy.

What is ALEC? Despite claims that it’s nonpartisan, it’s very much a movement-conservative organization, funded by the usual suspects: the Kochs, Exxon Mobil, and so on. Unlike other such groups, however, it doesn’t just influence laws, it literally writes them, supplying fully drafted bills to state legislators. In Virginia, for example, more than 50 ALEC-written bills have been introduced, many almost word for word. And these bills often become law.

__________

Zimmerman had no right to follow Trayvon Martin and just take it upon himself and decide that this young man was a criminal up to no good and then end his life.

I like the term Obamacare because a few years from now when fully implemented and people look positively on the good the HCA has done and how much they like it, all the credit will go to Obama and the Democrats and none to the GOP.

That's why the GOP hates it so much. There's only one thing they really want to repeal and that's whose administration passed it. If they did somehow repeal the HCA, they'd almost certainly replace it with an almost identical bill, but one that had their stamp on it so they could take all the credit for.

Hey Ron Indiana you left out the worst of all shock jock, Big Ed Schultz!

Feisty, I see the comments. Just put them on ignore. They're not worth reading or corresponding with.

Backhouse, did you see Gloria Steinem's video? It's amazing.

Derek,

While I agree with your basic premise, the way a justice (and the confirmation process) is chosen is the problem. Any suggestions on how to solve it? The ideal way would be to keep the Senate out of it, just because of the politics involved, but in that case, who would chose and approve?

Katheryn Brandy

But regardless of whether they decide for or against ACA - their scandalous majority decision on Citizens United taints all of their other work -including this decision.

That's why I'm very pessimistic that the Supreme Court will issue a ruling based on law rather than on the financial interests of big corporations. And Citizens United was not the only such ruling. Remember the Lilly Ledbetter case, where the court ruled that Ledbetter couldn't sue for descrimination because they interpreted the law to mean that employees must file suit a few months after the first incident of wage discrimination occurred, not when the employee actually discovered she has been discriminated against.

In Ledbetter's case, she didn't know she was being payed substantially less than her male counterparts until years later. So the Court against all reasonable interpretations of the intent of the anti-discrimination law, ruled that Ledbetter had no valid reason to sue.

BTW: "Justice" Scalia has also stated that if a trial was properly conducted with no irregularities, later DNA evidence proving the innocence of the person wrongly convicted for murder shouldn't stand in the way of a good execution. These are the people that hold the fate of the health care law in their grubby hands.

(BTW, my burka is at the cleaners and won't be ready until forever)

Ah Phine, those stains of modern promiscuity are as hard to remove as the ignorance of many a man.

Ben-ja-min,

Klein's article explains why folks like you can be confused:

"One other thing that's confused some people is that this estimate is looking at a different timeframe than the original estimates. The CBO's first pass at the bill looked at 2010-2019. But years have passed, and so now they're looking at 2012-2021. That means they have two fewer years of implementation, when the bill costs almost nothing, and two more years of operation, when it costs substantially more.

But it also means that the included cuts and taxes, which grow with time, are larger. That's why, when House Republicans wanted to repeal health reform in 2011, the estimated increase in the deficit was $230 billion, rather than the $130 billion that would have been expected from the 2010-2019 analysis. As you extend the analysis, the bill both costs more and saves more, and the savings grow more quickly than the costs." (Klein)

(Suggest u don't get the Dems on here started about those "Liar!" accusations of yours.)

Although the SUpreme court knows this should be ruled unconstitutional. They will pull a political move and say they can't rule on it until 2014.

Ideology,

Mary Magdalene was able to remove her "stains" of promiscuity. However, for many men, removing the stain of ignorance is nigh impossible!

The Court must declare O'bamacare constitutional before they can read it!

Michael1969

Speaking of Al "Blueburrrrry Pie" Sharpton, what the heck is wrong with his head shape??

It looks like a Hollywood FX job....kinda weird egg-shaped

Look Mikey, you got it all wrong.

The racist are all over @ FOX NOISE; particularly, Sean Hannity and Bildo . Have you not seen Sean Hannity's long slant head?

Have some more Blueberry Pie. You can't find me one quote where Rev Al says he hates white and Jewish people. You can keep learning hate and phobias over @ FEAR.net aka FOX if you like.

But, you need to learn FOX LIES!!

I remember very well the Jane Akre and Steve Wilson case as being instrumental in FOX NOISE continuing its LYING.

Florida Court of Appeals agreed with FOX News that there is no rule against falsifying the news

During their appeal, FOX asserted that there are no written rules against distorting news in the media. They argued that, under the First Amendment, broadcasters have the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on public airwaves. Fox attorneys did not dispute Akre’s claim that they pressured her to broadcast a false story, they simply maintained that it was their right to do so. After the appeal verdict WTVT general manager Bob Linger commented, “It’s vindication for WTVT, and we’re very pleased… It’s the case we’ve been making for two years. She never had a legal claim.”

http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stories/articles/11-the-media-can-legally-lie/

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6621412

===========================================================================

That is a dog goned shame!!! They would rather lie and teach hate than report the truth.

As the survey says the more the idiots at FOX watch news the less they know. With that above case I'm hoping you are capable of seeing why.

This is why it so important voter suppression is not allowed to happen; even if we have to bring in the UN. We must vote out the crooked legislators and those brought and paid for in the judicial system.

Note Well: Rev Al kicks azz. His audience beat out CNN's time slot. So watch your mouth! Oaakay???

Derek -- If something doesn't give on the United Citizens pile of crap ruling then my solution would be to have a national protest by turning off the TV for a day or week!

Maybe businesses and millionaires will have second thoughts funding the Pacs in the future!

Maxx- Lack of healthcare or solutions is bankrupting this country already! Where you been? What's your solution to the crisis?

Beverly

To answer your question since Rob-mey has such a robotic characteristic, I'll say he is being controlled by remote forces; therefore he has "No" idea what he is saying.

Maybe he really is a robot manufactured by the military-industrial complex and financed by Wall Street. Has anybody seen his birth certificate? Hmmm....

@phinephancy. Some people suggest term limits on judges. Others simply suggest keeping politics out of the appointment process.

What is a shame is, once upon a time, the lifetime appointment was designed to make sure politics stayed out of the court, the assumption being that a judge would be free to rule as they saw fit, rather than politically. Of course, the reason that fails is because all justices are first vetted for their political views, THEN appointed. It would only work if the senate actually were looking for the best person for the job, rather than the one they liked.

The solution, really, is to completely annihilate the Supreme court, which won't ever happen legally. The solution is to come up with an entirely different court system which, while it might be inspired by the Constitution in its role in government, would have a completely different set of rules for fullfilling its role in the checks and balance system, and yet also being non-political.

So the solution is unconstitutional. Therefore, until people decide they actually want to overthrow the United States, the solution is to watch this trainwreck of a court continue to destroy basic premises that this country was founded on.

The US system, when it fails, fails mostly because of its courts. Democrats and Republicans in Congress who are being morons actually don't get anything done. And moron Presidents normally get stripped of the teeth of their power by the Congress. But you can't stop a moron judge, and welcome to your 9 person tyranny that people like to lie about being an important part of democracy.

I hate to sound cynical but I honestly don't think the republicans on the court will give the case a fair hearing. So far they seem to have been on a mission to support absolutely anything the republicans in congress want. They've already shown a willingness to blatantly ignore well established judicial precident (Citizens United). Why would we believe they'll be any different now?

If the government can REQUIRE residents to purchase a product or service from private companies, where does it stop?

That is the fundamental question at stake, and upholding this law would set a precedent to give dictatorial power over our lives to the Federal Government, something feared by our founders that strikes against the very core of our Constitution.

The
Supreme Court of Injustice that is totally whacked like Tea bagging history of
the way they have ruled in the past striking down McCain/Feingold campaign law to show transparency
in Elections by a 5 to 4 margin along there party lines the justices are most
surely at odds over the RECLUSING
themselves from cases that they are illegally ruling on.

The
Truth is Health Care carriers have constantly said the reason High premiums exist is the uninsured. Further research has pointed
directly at the reason Premiums that were exploding at rates so fast before
this law of Health Care passed have now consistently been held more in check
then in previous years without proving the Law is starting to rein in cost.
Research also has proved that the lobbyist are trying to overturn anything
related to HealthCare law in order to return to the outrages profits and
increases in premiums they had been used to before the law existed.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas released his new financial disclosure form on Friday under pressure from Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and others.

Mother Jones reported that his financial disclosure form indicates his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, received a $150,000 salary from the group Liberty Central in 2010 and less than $15,000 from an anti-health care reform lobbying firm she founded.

Liberty Central, which she helped found, supports the repeal of the the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Weiner had taunted Thomas via Twitter on Friday, but his criticisms where quickly overshadowed by the so-called “Weinergate” fiasco that broke out Sunday. The congressman had previously called on Thomas to recuse himself from cases involving health care reform because of his wife’s financial connections to groups dedicated to its repeal.

“The appearance of a conflict of interest merits recusal under federal law,” a letter written by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and signed by 74 Members of Congress stated. “From what we have already seen, the line between your impartiality and you and your wife’s financial stake in the overturn of healthcare reform is blurred.”

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires Supreme Court justices to disclose their spouse’s income, but Thomas had not disclosed Virginia’s income on his financial disclosure forms for 20 years.

“We knew that Justice Thomas’ family had a financial stake in opposing health care reform,” Weiner said Friday in a statement. “Now we know even more. It’s pretty clear the justice has one option here: recusal.”

(Reposted from a duplicate article on this same subject, that MSNBC has "apparently" squashed..at least it seems like MSNBC did...)

There is something I Don't understand.... Why are they going through the motions of a trial, when Chief Judicial Activist John Roberts and his Gang of 4 thugs (Making 5 votes) has already been ordered by the Fundamentalist to declare Universal Healthcare Unconstitutional? You see... I do not believe that there could ever be a fair trial in the Universal Healthcare case unless Roberts and his Thugs recluse themselves (Pardon the spelling) from this case.

Its also clear that Roberts is trying to follow the Republican't party platform of making Obama a one term President by holding this trial before the Fall Presidential Elections. If Roberts had even an ounce of fairness he would wait till after the fall 2012 Presidential Election to hear this case. He has that power to decide when the Supreme Court will hear a Case.

And thats my opinion.

“This is my last election,” Obama can be heard telling Medvedev, per NBC’s Shawna Thomas Kristen Welker, and Alicia Jennings. “After my election, I have more flexibility.” To which Medvedev responds: “I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.” Obama: “On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space.”

I wish I could be the fly on the wall for more of these O'bamasims that do not actually get caught on tape. He said what we all know of course, but it is still fun to overhear any politicians true thoughts.

Maybe we could get the media to call out Obama on his statement that he ended the "revolving door" of people leaving the administration to become lobbyists.

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_115/Administration-Staffers-Head-Out-the-Revolving-Door-213388-1.html

ObamaCare 4-ever !!!!

Mark:

I don't care about some rope line meltdown. What was the President thinking. I give no excuse for this cozying up with our natural born enemies

You sound like Otto Von Bismark when he called France "the hereditary enemy" before the Franco-Prussian War. Luckily for Prussia, France did not have thermonuclear weapons at the time, unlike Russia today. What you do to "natural born enemies" is to start a war with them, something that would be very rather unfortunate in the case of Russia. I'd rather see Obama get the cooperation of Russia in reducing the threat of nuclear war, which was the point of his "hot mic" comment. Wouldn't you?

It will be found to be unconstitutional. Anyone want to place any bets?

Yellowdog-Mark D

The Russia of today and since Gorbachev is not America's natural born enemy. Note well that your armed forces are concerned with other conflicts both present and for the foreseeable future, and that movement of those forces is into the Pacific region.

Houston!

Beverly

Maybe he really is a robot manufactured by the military-industrial complex and financed by Wall Street. Has anybody seen his birth certificate? Hmmm

Good one Houston!

Roy,

The Federal government is not forcing anyone to buy health insurance. What the law states is, if you do not buy insurance you will be fined $95, an annual amount.

If someone does not have insurance and they have a life threatening situation they will be treated, they will be billed a large dollar amount, they probably will not pay, it will be an uncollected amount that gets spread across the rest of us.

We will pay either way, like we do now.

Your lie was just debunked, do us all a favor and educate yourself.

Brain Damage

With all the collapses you got; I'd say you're having a bad day; and you're a well known idiot.

That is what you call a good day for conservatives on this site. Are you new here Beverly?

The Federal government is not forcing anyone to buy health insurance. What the law states is, if you do not buy insurance you will be fined $95, an annual amount

Rod, you forgot the jail part after that. Not forcing eh? You libs just think differently I guess

Yellowdog,

We have more in common with Russia with our joint worries about China and some of the other Asian countries than we have differences.

I vaguely remember one or more republican primary candidates saying that the courts were too powerful (maybe Santorum?) and that they shouldn't be able to make enormous decisions. Guess that's only when it doesn't side with their point of view, huh?

It's a farce anyways. The court already has their mind made up.

And as for the constant party bashing, all modern politicians are cheats and lairs. I'll never understand the devout loyalty some folks that post here have for someone who doesn't give a crap about anything except getting elected or re-elected. You really think anybody on either side went into politics for you?

Supporting someone is about who might screw you over the least, not about the better candidate. There's no such thing.

Jail if you do not pay a fine, I'm good with that.

Bill: What are you doing reading my comments? Oh, you want to know what the progressives have to say. Well, I guess that is a good reason.

Jail if you do not pay a fine, I'm good with that.

Did you miss the point? Or conveniently ignoring it...

Let me ask you a question then Rod...Are you good with throwing all the poor people in jail that cannot pay the fine?

Take your pick:

1. ObamaCare on the Federal level
2. RomneyCare on the State level

It WILL be one or the other because it NEEDS BE DONE! The trailer park types will go kicking and screaming but it will end up helping the morons...

(I myself would pick doing this at the Federal level. The states have a piss-poor record with this kind of stuff!!)

too many, gawking/ angry birds feuding in the halls of judgement here..time for me to relax in my cardboard home & rest this one out...........

Ben-636050

Without the individual mandate, the plan dies. I hope that is the case especially since the non-partisan (as many on the left has called it) CBO came out with a new report about now $1.7 trillion added to the deficit instead of the 890 billion promised

Ben, the wing nut article you cited is lying. They took the gross cost (before revenue and taxes are figured) and compared it to the net cost (minus revenue and taxes). The net cost actually DROPPED $50 billion. But, don't let the truth get in your way, ok?

To force people to purchase something (health care insurance) only because they exist is unconstitutional.

Sorry, it's not quite as black and white, or as simple as this.

The commerce clause and Wickard v. Filburn...

"To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes".

The Court decided that Filburn's wheat growing activities reduced the amount of wheat he would buy for chicken feed on the open market, and because wheat was traded nationally, Filburn's production of more wheat than he was allotted was affecting interstate commerce. Thus, Filburn's production could be regulated by the federal government.

Now, healthcare is way more far reaching in terms of effecting interstate commerce and the national economy than the wheat this guy was growing for his own personal use.

Just because you don't like the concept of something, that doesn't automatically make it unconstitutional. I don't like it that much either, I think the single payer system would have been a much better idea, but for the past 70 years SCOTUS has been setting precedent that expands the commerce clause, which I do agree with. As the world shrinks we start effecting each more and more, you know.

Any issues with increased costs doesn't come from being mandated to buy insurance, it comes because the healthcare industry is exempt from anti-trust laws. And really, we only have three options left, if we're not willing to go with single payer...

1. We all receive care and those of us who have insurance pay for those who don't.

2. We all receive care and we all have insurance.

3. Only those of us who have insurance receive care.

It seems like some of you complain about paying for others, and than complain when we know longer allow that to happen. Are you really, in 2012, advocating for option 3?

And...

Those private insurance companies that you all love so much will do their utmost to make sure that they don't have to cover you. At least the government doesn't have a vested interest in NOT paying or denying the care.

Oh please, you all, enough with the freaking, overblown, flowery, flag pin , tri-corn hat, rhetoric. This isn't any bigger than healthcare. Healthcare is sucking the life and money out of this country and needs to be addressed. This addresses it. Ask people in MA if their freedom has dissappeared. I'm willing to bet not one of them has been sent to a gulag.

And you all want to know something??? You've never had freedom of choice in healthcare, because the industry is organized into regional monopolies. You're taking the overly dramatic talking points, put out there by the lobbyists and politicians who want to see this fail for purely selfish reasons, that have NOTHING to do with your freedom. If they did, they would have addressed those monopolies too, but they didn't did they?

My guess is, if this gets upheld, which I'm betting it will, your life will change not one iota. Buy the freaking insurance, because you know what, I don't wanna pay for you.

Rod -- Roy breaks with the far right on healthcare. He is for a single payer system if my memory serves me well.

I have a question about what they are discussing today. A law which those that want this to be put off until 2014 as to not give the administration a black eye before an election.

Should it not be the primary job of the highest court in the land to review the constitutionality of laws before they are allowed to affect the citizens of this country?

There is a part of the courts mandate that allows it to take "original jurisdiction" if they choose. It would have saved millions of taxpayer dollars by not having to run through the lower courts. Personally, I believe with the legislation that has come down like the Patriot Act, NDAA, and HR 347, that the court should be taking a more proactive role in defending our rights. In fact, I think the court should be reviewing all legislation handed down by such a dysfunctional Congress before it takes effect.

Where is healthcare the worst in the US ... you guessed it, mainly GOP States.

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Publications/Fund-Reports/2009/Oct/2009-State-Scorecard.aspx?page=all

Sheesh, the attacks on anything and everyone on this site continues even though the Democrats are well aware that the MANDATED Universal Health Care Reform legislation will be deemed UNCONSTITUTIONAL by the SCOTUS.

Gotta love some of these posters, especially the "mellow" Red Head's comments. Oh, BTW....found out the following:

• Fiesty: Fear-mongering Everything In Spurts Through Yelling
• The: The Hypocrisies Everyday
• Red: Ratifying Everything Democrat~progressive
• Head: Henceforth, Everyone Abandoned Democrats~progressives.

I understand the NEED to include a mandate, which would be to bring in healthy participants to absorb risk, but I think requiring people to buy health insurance is unconstitutional.

People can own a home, but do not need to buy home insurance if they want to self insure. Nobody is forcing people to insure those properties even though when things go south taxpayers will most likely pay for all the damage for that family. Equally if you do not own a home you do not need to buy home owner insurance just to help bring down the risk and keep premiums lower. I can't think of any private product we currently are forcing people to buy against their will.

Over the years, I have put together about 100 pages of Obamacare and what was promised and what is promised today. We were initially told that premiums would go down because the uninsured would stop using the ER as their primary doctor. Equally they would go see a doctor before their conditions got worse and then needed a major operation instead of a less expensive treatment early on. We were promised we could keep our insurance and that our premiums would decrease by 1500-2500. Now Obama says premiums just won't go up quite so fast. The insurance I had I no longer have and that includes my doctors and hospital. The reason being was cost for the company insuring me and thus Obama's second promise has been broken as well.

The democrats when they passed Obamacare stopped short of getting the CBO to score the final product. That is when they claimed deficit neutral without securing the facts. Now that the CBO has scored the actual legislation assuming laws as they are, we will see about 2 trillion over 10 years of cost associated with Obamacare. What is disingenuous about this healthcare plan is that it is pre-loaded with taxes which already began in 2010 in order to just fund it and start paying out. That is considered revenue to the general fund of government which is fixing the numbers. Eventually the pay-outs begin and that is when the deficits will go back up again. I understand pre-funding, but do not add this to the general fund as revenue applied to all other spending needs. Not truthful.

We added 30 million more to the insurance rolls, removed caps, added high risk, and somehow expect costs to get reduced. The states will see medicaid spending they can't afford and will then either raise taxes on those working, or reduce services.

We never addressed costs. I recently had surgery that went unexpectedly wrong. The error was in the system which I am sure is going on every day since the procedure of post op is routine. I had a life threatening post op occurrence that happened because our system doesn't transition well. So basically there was never anybody in charge once the surgeon went home.

Instead of posting hateful things with misinformation, we should be ferreting out the truth and lies to figure out how to have a good health care system with costs that can be managed.

IDO,

Sheesh, the attacks on anything and everyone on this site continues even though the Democrats are well aware that the MANDATED Universal Health Care Reform legislation will be deemed UNCONSTITUTIONAL by the SCOTUS.

Why will it be deemed unconstitutional? Please explain how the commerce clause, necessary & proper clause, and general welfare clause don't apply here, and why the court will turn away from it's own precedent of expanding the commerce clause for this piece of legislation?

Maxx Power,

Obamacare will bankrupt this country period.

Not if we cut the defense department budget in half it won't. That is what we really should be talking about. Do that, and all kinds of things are possible.

korney,

The poor would be on Medicaid. Read the law, come back to me when you are better informed.

Hello, This will be struck down for the sole reason congress can not make you buy something you don't want period. It was passed under the commerce clause because Teddy's seat went to Scott Brown and 60 votes were not attainable. So with Obamas logic congress can make you buy spinich once a week legally right? Do we need health coverage for all yes, but not under these circumstanes, closed door meetings, pass the bill to find out whats in it and so on.

Phine, Ideology and Houston -

Time will tell, but I for one will not look into Putin's eyes and sense a trust with him and or Russia as Bush mistakenly did. The so called democratization of Russia has been stifled. Medvedev is a puppet soon to be replaced by Putin again. Putin, unfortunately, the once and future king.

Russia due to its failing economy is not our largest rival/enemy any longer. However, make no mistake, they are not our allies, friends or anything of that nature. They are not to be trusted. At every step whether it is willingly arming Syria or lending conflicting diplomacy to stave off peace efforts in the middle east and elsewhere they stand against us. In the UN security council they block any vote that is counter to the US. They are playing us, laughing at us as we try to police the world and fight a War on terror. Noting, gleefully as our resources, blood and treasure evaporate.

Perhaps it is due to my growing up in an Air Force family knowing that my hometown was #1 on the hit list due to the location of SAC. They are our enemies, simple fact. That does not mean you do not talk with them but when you do you keep your guard up.

Let's take my 'natural born enemy' terminology out of the equation. Do you think that it was wise for Obama to tell a "purported" leader of a rival country in effect, "Don't bring this issue up (missle defense) because it will hurt my polling."

Do you think that a rival would not use that to his benefit? Politics aside, you don't see the danger in this?

(I myself would pick doing this at the Federal level. The states have a piss-poor record with this kind of stuff!!)

Ha, Ha!! You trust the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? What are you smoking?

Once upon a time your were required to buy your telephone service from a monopoly. Today, you buy your electric or gas service or water service from a utility, also a monopoly.

But, you are all screaming that you don't want to have to buy health insurance because it infringes on your rights! Tell me, do you also go without the above because using electric, or water or gas infringes on your rights? No, they are a necessity. Well, so is health insurance!

At least you will have choices with your health care ; you don't with your electric or gas, but you still use it and pay the monopolies every month without a whimper.

Sarah-3043284

It should be struck down because there is definite difference between taxing everyone to pay for roads that everyone uses and forcing people to pay money to private companies to pay for other peoples bad life choices that affect their health.

Gilboagirl

You are paying for a service that you yourself benefit from when you pay a utility bill. This law forces you to pay for others. Perhaps we should pool everyones electric bill and all pay the same amount.

John,

So you're saying healthcare isn't part of interstate commerce? That not everyone uses healthcare? You pay for public safety services, right? Things like the police and 911, so sorry to tell you this, you're already paying taxes that go to covering people's dumb mistakes. And your point to Gill is that you won't benefit from healthcare??? Who are you, superman?

Furthermore...

So, I'm from Detroit, but I have a sister that lives in CA, what if one of us gets sick/injured on vacation? People who live in border towns? People traveling for work? People in the process of moving? Not to mention that the costs of covering those who are uninsured are spread nationwide, as is the price fixing, oops I meant setting, that goes on between the different healthcare providers.

It's not about buying/selling, it was about the effect on interstate commerce. Are you really arguing that the wheat someone grows in their backyard has a greater effect on interstate commerce then our current healthcare system?

John -- Sorry buddy but you already do that. In 1987 Congress enacted an unfunded mandate that business (Hospitals) pick of the tab for anyone unable to pay. They then spread that cost to anyone who has insurance or pays in cash. Care is mandated and the costs are socialized.

BTW -- Insurance by its nature is a socialized product.

lot of you are missing the exsact point at stake here, more serious than ANY election to date. read this:

“In taking up President Barack Obama's health overhaul Monday, the Supreme Court wades into an issue that not only could sway this fall's elections but also could help define for generations what Congress is and isn't entitled to do.”

What is congress entitled to do? congress not the president decides if we go into war. congress makes/passes the laws. Congress despite finacial gains in both houses, still in some pretty big ways speak for the people they represent. THEY keep us from becoming Russia, Britan,Greece, Libya.

We already have the president capable of declaring congress void in a national state of martial law, what more power do we give to one person?

So, that's all, just the fate of the president's re-election and the limits on Congressional power, but beyond that, nothing major.

the fate of any president is nothing, compaired to our powers of congress. theres a lot more people sitting in on a vote other than what some lamebrain thinks is the best idea, and forces it on everyone. could care less about any president past president or future, and being re-elected. this concerns freedoms of all Americans.

Sarah-3043284

And again, it is forcing everyone to pay into a "private company". Why do you think the Health Care companies and drug companies helped write the law.

I should not have to pay for your health care if you are obese, drink a case of beer, and smoke two packs of cigarettes a day. Those are your choices, not mine.

Mossdog,

Congress passed AHA, not the president. It wasn't an executive order. For 70 years SCOTUS has expanded the powers of congress through the commerce clause, general welfare clause, necessary and proper clause...

All this has to do with, is fixing healthcare in our country. Sorry, I know "fighting for freedom" is way more exciting, but alas, this really is just about healthcare and how we're going to fix it.

Mark:

Do you think that it was wise for Obama to tell a "purported" leader of a rival country in effect, "Don't bring this issue up (missle defense) because it will hurt my polling."

No, but that's not what he said and it's not what he meant. You're putting your own words into his mouth. It's perfectly reasonable for Obama to have told the Russians that he can't make any major commitments during an election year. He'd be a poor negotiator if he did. You're putting the worst spin possible on a totally rational statement.

And again, it is forcing everyone to pay into a "private company". Why do you think the Health Care companies and drug companies helped write the law.

Your right, but that's an issue regarding money in politics, not AHA or the mandate.

I should not have to pay for your health care if you are obese, drink a case of beer, and smoke two packs of cigarettes a day. Those are your choices, not mine.

You already do this!!! I said before and I'll say it again...

It seems like some of you complain about paying for others, and than complain when we know longer allow that to happen. The mandate puts an END to that.

With the mandate, all those people who smoke, drink, over eat and party too hard will ALSO have to get insurance, so you WON'T be paying for them.

THOSE WHO CANNOT REMEMBER THE PAST, ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT IT - George Santayana

Buy Business Insurance (or you will be out of Business), buy Fire Insurance (or your home or business will burn down), buy Health Insurance (or we break your legs) - Organized Crime.

This was Ruled Unconsitutional and Illegal as Extortion and Racketeering.

During the 1929-1939 Great Depression US Citizens had to decided between Food or Medical Care. To stop this President FDR instituted his Universal Health Care For All US Citizens, as this would also cut the Funding (Income) for suspected Mussolini (Hitler) supporters of "Italian Organized Crime". Just like President FDR suspended All US Labor Union Activities as the US Labor Unions were taken over by "Italian Organized Crime" (later proven when the US Labor Unions Striked to stop the US Military Liberations of Sicily and Italy). After WWII during the 1950s as Organized Crime thru the US Labor Unions and Insurance Corporations Lobbied (Bribed) US Politicians the Organized Crime reinserted and entrenched themselves back into the lives of US Citizens.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5247963n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

According to President Obama, Face the Nation, February 20, 2009, the Insurance Corporations are the Problem:

Obama: No, the difference is that they're making huge profits on it, Bob. I mean, let's take the Medicare HMO programs that are being run by insurance companies. It's estimated by everybody that they're overcharging by about 14 percent. This amounts to about $177 billion over 10 years. About $17 billion a year, $18 billion a year. That's just going to pad their profits, hasn't been shown to make Medicare recipients any healthier. And in fact because those huge subsidies are going to insurance companies, Medicare recipients are not getting a good deal. Now if we are enforcing what should be the rules around Medicare and making sure the people are getting a bang for the buck, it's not going to be possible for insurance companies to simply pass on those costs to Medicare recipients because ultimately it's Uncle Sam that's paying for those services anyway.

TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM YOU GET THE INSURANCE CORPORATIONS OUT OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

How many of you actually read President Obama's The President's Proposal, February 22, 2010 and the actual President Obama Health Care Reform Act? So why are you posting emotive non factual opinions on a Newsvine Forum to discuss Facts as "Get Smarter Here".

Do not lie, if you did read President Obama's The President's Proposal and the actual President Obama Health Care Reform Act, then explain the Section, Source of New Revenues, as to why US Taxpayers are giving $67 Billion to the Insurance Industry, $23 Billion to the Medical Device Industry, $20 Billion to the Pharmaceuticals Industry.

Unlikely ally of health care reform: business
Insurers, drug companies came on board early and may profit from it

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35989945/ns/business-us_business/

SUMMARY: Trash can the Unconstitutional Illegal Extortionary (Insurance Corporation Racketeering) Health Care Reform Act. Get the Insurance Corporations out of the Medical Profession. Institute the President FDR Universal Health Care For All US Citizens.

@Roy Wilson #1.69: The government has been forcing us to for a long time now. Either through increased premiums or various taxes we have to pay for the Health care for those who can't pay. No health care provider can refuse treatment to anyone who can't pay. There are at least 2 other areas I can think of that require the citizens to buy something from companies. I will not cite them, since the last time I did, my post was almost immediately deleted. That was over 2 years ago. The mandate, is in fact, constitutional.

Sarah-3043284

Anyone below the poverty level will not pay a dime. The only thing this law is doing is allowing the industry to prescribe drugs that kill people to 30 million more people and bill the taxpayer.

Anyone below the poverty level will not pay a dime. The only thing this law is doing is allowing the industry to prescribe drugs that kill people to 30 million more people and bill the taxpayer.

If that's what you believe, then you haven't read ACA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act

Inform yourself.

Yellowdog Mark and others who seem to object to President Obama's comments to Medvedev. Nothng wrong with the remarks, nothing inflammatory. He spoke the truth. There is no way much of anything will get through Congress this election year. Flexibility in 2013 is the truth, sending a message to Putin about the reality of our Congress makes sense. Shoot, Boehner couldn't even get his caucus to vote for the bi-partisan transportation bill that passed 74-22 in the Senate. We are looking at repubicans in Congress who will punt, bunt and avoid doing anything difficult especially if it might give a "win" to President Obama and some democrats aren't inclined to do much either.

Jody -- I agree and would add there is a little naivety by those worried over the remark.

Ruken

It has been a while since I studied english, but I believe this means free.

Medicaid eligibility is expanded to include all individuals and families with incomes up to 133% of the poverty level along with a simplified CHIP enrollment process.^[20][21]

Bill you listed a great number of "lies". That were not actually proven wrong in fact, but simply they are lies since there are opinions against them. A lie is something that is wrong.

For example Obama saying most economists think the recession worked. You said there are many economist who would argue against that. To clear that up if 51 economist says it does and 49 say it does not thant most have said it works.

Statements are not lies because they disagree with your opinion. I think the idea Ron talks about is knowing something is false, that it is actually not true (in fact) and prepetuating anyway.

I do not complain about paying for others. I am already paying for medicaid and emergency room visits of others. However, I do not believe forcing a family to choose health insurance over buying food is a reasonable option.

Health insurance does not equal health care. Some cancer patients with insurance are denied payment for chemotherapy while given money to buy a wig. Some people feel they are better off paying their doctor, hospital, ... directly than taking what the health insurance has to offer. I do not see why an individual can not make a decision for themselves on the best way to pay for their own health care.

I do feel that the health insurance offered to individuals (directly or through a company) does not adequately define what is and is not covered. Even if it did many individuals do not have enough knowledge to understand medical procedure codes. I know I do not. If the US government is providing a tax exemption for health insurance plans, then the government should be able to define a minimum set of what must be covered in a plan in order to qualify it as tax exempt.

Reguardless of supreme court rulings, the US health system needs to more efficient. I prefer efforts which truly bring down costs over efforts that shuffle the costs under a tax shell.

Sarah,

your short term memory needs some excersise. the HCR bill was bribed into vote with the needed votes recieved by exsemption clauses to the bill writ in for that persons state. THOSE exsemptions after the bills passing for deemed unconstitutional by yes, the SCOTUS, so even those states got the shaft. This whole HCR thing and because you obviously want to point out what is and isnt, is all under the table laws passed without our input, or even allowing us to see the debate before the vote.

so, what we have had to get this bill passed? closed door meetings with false promises.... all to get a name for ones self. it was projected before it was passed it was going to be a cash hog, over and over... and no president could get such a law passed without forcing it thru because of that. Any time a politican smiles and says "its good for Americans", you might want to reach for the lube before the next sentence come out. usually its "now bend over if you get a paycheck", such as in this case.

Houston - You're putting the worst spin possible on a totally rational statement.

I grant you I put my own words in Obama's mouth, for that I will apologize. However, I still think it was a slip up, a mistake on his part for allowing a statement that would work people up, I guess myself included.

Look, I don't believe that an ABM anti ballistic missile system will work to any great degree to offset its huge cost. Whether the US has this system in Germany or Romania, closer to Russia is what the parties object to, I think we need to talk to them to limit the making of new offensive weapons. Help and or force them to corral rogue unaccounted for weapons etc. I think the whole ABM system will never work. The US policy to barter with the Russians to allow us to develop and install these in former eastern bloc countries is a huge monemental waste of money. Yet another way for us to continue to waste DOD dollars on a feckless pursuit to try to protect Europe. This embrace of developing AMB systems could be a way to unwittingly poke a sleeping russian bear.

Mossdog,

You're speaking of issues where HCR is the symptom, not the problem. I agree with the need to get money out of poliitics and increase transparency, but that's not the issue here. And those who seem the most adament in their belief that HCR is bad ONLY bring them up during the HCR debate.

Why don't those things ever come up in regards to other pieces of legislation?

John,

So what, let poor people die? And you're forgetting, anyone under the poverty level will be covered by Medicaid, as opposed to not at all where we pay for them. The mandate mostly effects people like me. Young, healthy, and willing to risk not having insurance.

How long can America accept a Supreme Court that makes rulings on a purely partisan level as they seem to have done since Bush/Gore ..will the people of America be denied or given justice depending on their party afiliation

My problem with the objections is the ACA is that those objecting, like the republicans are in favor of sticking with the way things are and not a better solution.

My problem with that is in that systems care is still socialized and we are still paying for others. It is just as costly if not more in the long run as the ACA. Rather than start with the ACA and work it into something more of us can live with we are shooting it down completely.

I have fault with the logic of those who would prefer to stand still rather than take a step in the right direction (no matter how small that step may be)

I would be more open to objectors if they only want to appeal the ACA with the idea that is to be replaced with legislation that is more effective (and immediately). Many seem to be against this legislation because they were told it was bad for them without actually truly weighing how it would effect them.

Sarah-3043284

Totally politically incorrect, but yes, the world is over-populated anyway. I earn my way, it is not my responsibility for those that don't. Reducing my standard of living to increase another's is wrong. Now, if I choose to give to charity, that is a different story. While I am pro-choice what I love about uber-liberals that is quite hypocritical is that they want all women to have a right of choice, but they are more than willing to take mine.

John,

At least you're honest. And good thing most people have some sense of compassion and a willingness to work together.

Otherwise we'd still be throwing spears at each other.

You still haven't shown how this will in anyway decrease your standard of living. In fact, it's the opposite. The healthier the society and the more shared sacrifice the higher the standard of living.

Your mentality is more on par with Somalia.

Akeem, New Jersey

You are correct, there are many good things in the Act. Personally, I think a simpler system would be for Medicaid to cover anything catastrophic over $15,000 a year and the rest of the system go on a cash basis if they choose. Insurance is a scam and always has been, unless you need it. That is the hook.

Sarah-3043284

A-B=C

A= MY income

B= Being taxed to pay for others

C=My new income lower. I believe that is what defines standard of living.

Now we just throw spears with a keyboard.-------->

OOO-GA OOOOO-GA Off-Topic Warning OOOO-GA OOOO-GA

Good afternoon folks, the old Frog is not feeling well today but I need to beg for some helpful suggestions on a local issue.

We Oklahomans are a sad, ignorant lot which is why we are the reddest red state in the union. President Obama did not win a single county in Oklahoma in 2008. Not one.

Could this have something to do with it?

Yesterday I was driving past one of our right of right-wing churches (Westminster Baptist Church in Oklahoma City) and noticed they had a HUGE portable bill-board out in front of the church. It read (and I'm paraphrasing)

"Obama by-passes Congress to send 1.5 billion dollars in aid to Muslims..."

There was more but I didn't catch it all.

Now this church is infamous in Oklahoma City. They conduct gun training courses and concealed carry glasses and their beliefs are beyond ignorant.

What can be done about this?

Contact the NAACP? ACLU? Justice Department?

I think this is over the line. I think this constitutes a violation of church and state. It's clearly a lie, inflammatory and racist.

I need some useful suggestions folks.

Obama/Biden 2012

and why the court will turn away from it's own precedent of expanding the commerce clause for this piece of legislation?

_____________________________

Um..... because it's time for the SC to admit it's mistake in 1937 and return the country to a federal govt with LIMITED powers as provided in the US Constitution. If the lefty liberals don't like that, then they can use Article V to amend it to their liking.

LMAO!!!! Good luck with that.

skip Nicholson, Oklahoma City

First of all, is it true?

Secondly, the church is the only reason Santorum has had the success he has.

Thirdly, the church has the right to their opinion, and has always affected policy, if only from behind the scenes.

You are right, they shouldn't be involved. One way is if a group of American muslims protested in front of the church for their generalization that all muslims are bad.

John,

I knew it was only a matter of time untill somebody started whining about taxes. Guess what, taxes aren't unique to you. We all pay them, and we all profit from a society that is able to invest in things like public safety, infrastructure, research/development, and defense.

Life is pay to play. Deal with it. TP people talk about people on public assistance feeling entitled??? The biggest bunch of whiners with entitlement complexes seem to be the TP people themselves.

Joe,

Yes, because you say it's time and end a post with cyber laughing (as you always do, you must be wearing out the exclamation point key by now) SCOTUS will overturn 70 years of precedent.

You got it, buddy.

Yes, because you say it's time and end a post with cyber laughing (as you always do, you must be wearing out the exclamation point key by now) SCOTUS will overturn 70 years of precedent.

You got it, buddy.

____________________________________________

Seventy years ago the SC overturned 100+ years of precedent which upheld the LIMITED powers of the federal govt. Why is it so shocking to lefty liberals that the SC might return to the original intent of the Constitution??

Sarah-3043284

Health Insurance and Drugs do not make society healthy. Health is determined by how we live. I am Independent, not TP. I don't have to deal with it.

Maybe I am going about life all wrong. Maybe I should only work for cash, drop my income lower than the poverty level and just join the other side.

Joe,

Seventy years ago the SC overturned 100+ years of precedent which upheld the LIMITED powers of the federal govt. Why is it so shocking to lefty liberals that the SC might return to the original intent of the Constitution??

Because the world is shrinking, we're effecting each other more, and sh** changes. We're more aware of social injustice and inequality. We now have insight into things like sociology and mental health, culture, science and anthropology. We're looking at globalization and being connected to each other in ways that people even 70 years ago couldn't have imagined. We will never return to simple enumerated powers.

The people who wrote the Constitution included things like the necessary and proper clause and 9th Amendment, because they realized that. You should too.

John,

Health Insurance and Drugs do not make society healthy. Health is determined by how we live. I am Independent, not TP. I don't have to deal with it.

You're right about health insurance and drugs, but now you're getting into the fee for service system, which in my opinion also needs to go.

Skip:

You are correct, it is a lie, offensive, inflamatory, a violation of church and state, and racist. You are a smart dude and know the right resources.

You may want to take a picture of the billboard and send the picture to the national media. Perhaps an investigative journalist will take an interest and interview the pastor. I would also suggest you send a picture to the IRS and have their tax status questioned.

Good Luck, That's a tough issue.

Sarah-3043284

I pay $10,000 per year for an insurance policy with a $7,000 deductible. I haven't hit my deductible EVER. That $10,000 a year would go an extremely long way in fee for service.

John,

I don't know what planet you live on, but on mine, sh** happens, and it's really, quite expensive. One bad diagnoses, one bad accident, one bad day really, and you're SOL for the rest of your life if you don't have coverage.

That can happen to you, just like it can happen to me. And if it does, $10,000 won't cover the cost of gas to drive to your chemo appointments or nursing care facility, which you'll be going to for perhaps the rest of your life.

1.131

And it isn't $10,000.

It is the $150,000 I have spent in the last fifteen years just in case. Now$150,000 would go quite far.

We will never return to simple enumerated powers.

_______________________________

Sadly, you may be right. That is why I am convinced that America's best days are in its rear view mirror. All the recent "world powers" in the last 500 years, like Spain, France and England have collapsed into socialist mediocracies. Why, as America turns to their failed socialist models, would we expect a different outcome for America??

It's going to take a strong SC to tell Congress that they have overstepped their authority under the Constitution. And if lefty liberals don't like that, they can exercise Article V.

John,

Nope, still not really. I normally hate personal stories on the internet, but here goes. Randomly, at the age of 27, my sister woke up one morning numb on one side and discovered she had MS.

Her daily injections cost, if she were to pay out of pocket, about $5 grand/month. Now, she was 27, let's say she lives 50 more years, untill the age of 77...

That's $300,000, just for the medicine. Than you have the regular MRI's, blood tests, physical therapy once her condition starts to deteriorate, to say nothing of every other time she might get sick or injured that's unrelated to the MS.

It can happen to you too.

Joe,

Why, as America turns to their failed socialist models, would we expect a different outcome for America??

Because there's nothing "socialist" about what's occurred in America over the past 70 years. Social programs aren't the same as socialism, and it's an insult to everyone who does live under the yoke of socialism that you would say that.

Because there's nothing "socialist" about what's occurred in America over the past 70 years.

___________________________________________

SS is going broke. Medicare is going broke. The federal govt is going broke.

Margaret Thacher was dead on right when she said "The only problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other peoples mony to spend."

Call it whatever you want, America is running out of other peoples money to spend, and there's no denying it.

Joe,

We're running out of money to spend, because we're choosing to run out of money to spend. Cut defense spending and rewrite the tax code, and the problem is solved.

And it isn't "other" people's money. It's "our" money, because we all pay into it. And you, by far, get to keep more than you pay. Plus, you get to reap the rewards from my taxes, just like I get the rewards from yours.

Just more whining and excuses. Enough, enough, enough!

Sarah -- Some people choose to keep their eyes and minds closed.

John must think he is special to think he is immune to illness. To which I say good luck with that fantasy!

As for your sister and the millions like her may they continue to fight on and hold on for betters days.

Some of us fight for healthcare for those who can't.

Keep up the good fight Sarah. We are with you.

Sarah-3043284

That is exactly the problem. The bill does nothing to control prices. The drugs your sister is on most likely cost $500 to produce.

Drug companies raise their prices, so the Insurance companies raise theirs, since the insurance companies raised theirs, the drug companies raise theirs, etc, etc,etc.

Almost a third of our GDP last year was healthcare. That is obscene, considering it is maintenance. Unless actual costs get controlled this healthcare bill will push our debt over the cliff, and then nobody will have healthcare.

Sorry about your sister.

John,

Thank you for the sympathies.

But again, that goes back to fee for service and monopolies, not Obamacare. If that's where your anger lays, than you're posting on the wrong thread.

The weak parts of Obamacare are symptoms of money in politics and the health industry's buying of their monopolies and fee for service. Your outrage at that is justified and shared, but killing HCR won't fix that problem.

DCIA,

Thanks for the well wishes. She's actually doing great, but until this law was passed would have been SOL because she had what was considered a "pre-existing condition". Actually, she had two, seeing as she's also a woman. Duh, she's my sister, lol.

John and Sarah,

You are having an interesting conversation. John, do you propose medicaid for all for injuries over 15,000? If so would you propose additional tax to cover the cost? How would you charge the tax: flat or progressive?

Sarah I understand the costs of health care. I would like to see a focus on health care efficiency, but I am not sure increasing the demand decreases the cost. I agree with John that insurance is becoming more and more of a scam, but I still pay for it so I am a hypocrite. Do you feel the current plan has any cost saving measures? Explain how these would work.

Sarah-3043284

I have said that there are good things in the bill, and I believe that even if mandating is found unconstitutional, the rest of the bill stands or may need to be modified. Writing a bill to give health care to all without addressing costs is simply foolish, and again, that is why the Insurance and drug companies helped write it.

But then again it is government trying to fix something.

Medicinal Cannabis and Medicinal Mushrooms.

Ron,

Thanks, I'll do that. I have a correction to make, I really don't feel well, I'm having a reaction to my new asthma medication and so I'm not hitting on all cylinders. The church is the WINDSOR HILLS Baptist Church on N.W. 23 Street in Oklahoma City.

The fact that a church would take such an inflammatory public stance based on a bald-faced lie and the congregation (one of the largest in OKC) would buy into this kind of rhetoric is very frightening to me.

If we ever get to the point where we mix a Rush Limbaugh type propagandist with a charismatic religious figure with a national audience, like a TV or Radio program we are going to be in real trouble.

Picture the bad old days when only slightly facetious sayings like "Kill a Commie for Christ" were tossed around.

It scares the crap out of me.

Obama/Biden 2012

takingmiddleground

Actually, I think the medicare that we already pay should be viewed as an insurance policy before retirement. Unless they do something to control costs the medicare and medicaid systems will fail shortly. The primary concern should be to control costs. And if there needs to be a fee for the catastrophic coverage, it should be an option, so those that want to go the standard route with insurance, they can.

I don't understand why you can get a $15000 life insurance policy for dollars a month, but healthcare costs hundreds.

Taking,

I don't think this is increasing the demand. The demand is always been there, and is present in every individual since we'll all use healthcare at some point.

I think, if done the right way, the mandate will bring down costs, but a few things, outside of HCR need to happen first.

1. Write and pass a Constitutional Amendment getting money out of politics. I know this sounds like a huge endeavor, but we've done it 28 times in the past, we can do it again. This will end the influence of big pharma and the insurance companies.

2. Add healthcare insurance providers to the list of businesses and areas of commerce regulated by the Sherman Laws.

3. End fee for service. Right now, the healthcare industry has a vested interest in keeping us sick. The more sick we are, the more treatment/tests we need, and doling out those treatments and tests is how they get paid.

If we were really concerned about a free market and choice, we would set up our healthcare industry so that we can go to the cheapest provider who offers the highest quality care, and prevents us from getting sick the best.

This would lead to innovation in healthcare and investement in new ways of providing it. Creating jobs and businesses and working with the needs of the citizenry.

It can be done, we just need to stop screaming about the stupid stuff.

Sarah-3043284

Americans need to start viewing that healthy living is not necessarily through the use of drugs. When that happens, costs would go down by demand.

If I didn't have kids in school I would go here. Stable democracy since 1949, have a longer life span than America because they live healthy, not for drugs, and their doctors are trained in the US. Check out the health care costs comparison. Why can a country that we consider third world get it right, and we can't?

http://costarica.com/relocation/cost-of-living/

"THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ON HEALTH CARE" - This case has drawn the court more deeply into Presidential politics than any other since they helped "W" steel the election in 2000 and cleared the way for repubacon George to become President of the United States. I see them as a danger to the American peoples health. What will they do this time ????

Patriotic American U.S.A.,

Go research the Electoral College so that you do not make yourself seem so uninformed.

Please Romney - put the race away!!! I don't want to see or hear that sourpuss Sanitorium any more. Keep your theocracies at home and out of government!! No christian Taliban!!!

Rod_Father "Roy, The Federal government is not forcing anyone to buy health insurance."

True, people could refuse to pay and have the IRS chasing them for ever increasing fines and penalties that would eventually exceed the cost of health insurance.

If that's the best argument you have, pardon me if I laugh.

Dont_carry_it_all

Rod -- "Roy breaks with the far right on healthcare. He is for a single payer system if my memory serves me well."

Actually, I favor universal coverage, paid for by a combination of payroll and sales taxes, but I don't favor the government controlling everything, because they NEVER run anything efficiently. The best managed systems in the World (France, Taiwan, etc.) have private insurance companies administer it to foster competition.

My estimate is that we could save $1 Trillion per year ($10 Trillion over 10 years) on health care and cover EVERYONE. Since our Federal Deficit for health care alone (Medicare & Medicaid) is almost $9 Trillion over the next 10 years (Obama's 2013 Budget projection), it would eliminate all of our Deficits over the next 10 years, and result in a $1.7 Trillion SURPLUS.

Sarah - A constitutional amendment to get money out of politics requires elected officials that have a similar goal. Unfortunately politicians voted in using money will not move us toward that goal. That is why I am supporting Buddy Roemer through American's Elect. Buddy Roemer's number one priority is to get money out of politics. What surprises me is that getting money out of politics is a common goal of both the TP and OWS movements. However each group supports one of the 2 main parties. I have no problem voting for a 3rd party American's Elect in order to get money out of politics.

I agree with you on the fee for service. For instance I believe we stay healthier with vaccines. Vaccines are not that expensive though. I do however live in a country where some individuals believe vaccines are causing illnesses.

John - I agree with you that drugs are over prescribed. I still have not bought into the whole cholesterol reducing drug routine myself. A healthy diet reduces bad cholesterol while keeping the good cholesterol. I was surprised to find that part of the health care act included a requirement for restaurants to report nutrition info. A know a diabetic who is grateful to have that information. Also, I understand that the restaurant industry lobbied for nutrition information standards since customers are asking for it. They want to provide what the customers are asking for in a standard way. I would not keep the mandate just to save the nutrition info, but it was a positive I found in the bill.

Sarah-3043284 "I think, if done the right way, the mandate will bring down costs, but a few things, outside of HCR need to happen first."

So far, it has just increased costs, and it doesn't attack the core problems.

In my 'humble' opinion, the government's involvement should be to limited to developing a universal minimum 'standard of care' (no pre-existing condition exclusions) that applies to all insurance companies, and then let them compete on a national basis based on the same 'standard of care'. That would eliminate all of the confusion that insurance companies use to prey on unsuspecting customers with hidden 'exclusions'.

The cost of providing 'UNIVERSAL' coverage for everyone would be far cheaper than the mishmash we currently have, and EVERYONE would have the same basic health care benefits. If someone wants 'Cadillac' coverage, they can pay the extra cost out of pocket. The cost should be paid through a combination of payroll and sales taxes, and as I commented in my Post #1.160 above, it would eliminate all of the Federal government's Deficits over the next 10 years.

Patriotic American U.S.A. ""THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ON HEALTH CARE" - This case has drawn the court more deeply into Presidential politics than any other since they helped "W" steel the election in 2000"

Still beating that dead horse? The media went back and counted all of the discounted votes in those precincts requested by Al Gore, and guess what - Bush still won.

So Roy are you looking for something more similar to France or Germany on the health insurance?

By the way thanks Sarah and John for a civil conversation. I hope some day we can all solve our problems together as a united people. I found the following article interesting "How Congress Works To Increase Partisanship".

Yellowdog-Mark D,

FYI, December 2011 President Obama backpeddled like Lance Armstrong doing the Tour De France backwards, and changed his mind about NOT following President Bush's US Military Deployment of ABMs to Europe. So as of December 2011, US Military Land Based ABMs have been at Romania.

Ruken - If that's what you believe, then you haven't read ACA.

Well, you did not read the ACA either.

YOU WERE TOLD BY MANY ON NEWSVINE NEVER TO USE WIKIPEDIA.

Wikipedia Disclaimer: WIKIPEDIA MAKES NO GUARANTEE OF VALIDITY Please be advised that nothing found here has necessarily been reviewed by people with the expertise required to provide you with complete, accurate or reliable information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:General_disclaimer

takingmiddleground

No, thank you for taking notice.

I found something you wrote that struck me funny. I actually endorsed Ron Paul on Americans Elect, so I will see you at the caucus. One of the many reasons I endorsed him was his wanting to get rid of the FDA. I will attempt to explain why the FDA ruins health in this country.

Tonight, I was potatoeing out and saw a commercial of a doctor saying he was recommending Prodaxa, a blood thinner. 30 minutes later, I saw an ad for 1-800-Bad-Drug, for Prodaxa because it is killing people. The FDA might have plausible deniability, but the fact is that they are promoting the drug companies by endorsing drugs that are not making us healthier. The sad thing is is that the FDA can't be sued. The more the FDA promotes drugs, the more drug companies charge, raising the price of false care.

If, and I only say if because I know they are not, the FDA actually wanted to promote health, they would be promoting natural cures and living healthy. The problem is that we as Americans have been brainwashed into believing that the drug companies actually want cures. When you go to what I aforementioned Costa Rica and go into the drug stores, they will sell American drugs along side of natural remedies, some found in the rain forest. One I found particularly interesting was not a maintenance drug but a cure for psoriasis, yes a cure. The bark of a tree that you rub on your skin and it will be gone in a couple of days and never come back.

I will explain my point.

The FDA promotes Lipitor for reducing cholesterol. What they don't promote, and through lack of health education, is that Lipitor was derived from a mushroom. They can't regulate it so they don't promote it. Mushrooms also have been proven to stabilize the immune system, control cancers, and a host of other problems. They also can give an immune boost that will kick a cold out of you in a day.

The FDA has endorsed Uloric, which is a treatment for gout. What the FDA doesn't and won't promote to the public is that eating a dozen cherries every couple of days will have the same result.

The FDA is also intimately involved in keeping Medicinal Cannabis from becoming legal. It has been proven to battle things from cancer, MS, Stroke and Aneurisms, Aids, ocular degeneration from diabetes, autism in children and a whole host of other things. Google it, it is a very interesting read. And aside from what is the common perception, most do a one hitter before they go to sleep, they don't spend their days wasted. I don't use, but I would if needed. The FDA is fueled by the drug industry to keep it illegal. An interesting note: Most of the founders grew hemp.

The FDA also doesn't promote drinking apple cider vinegar if you have a flu or food poisoning. The vinegar is very acidic, and it throws your system into a sort of shock. Your system fights back and turns your body alkali. It will stop food poisoning and kill viruses because they can't live in an alkali environment, nor can cancers.

Now, these are four, I think strong examples of how the FDA is doing a disservice to American health. If they actually promoted natural remedies along side the drug alternatives, people would use the alternatives based on the side effects of the drugs. Drug prices would go down, and so would healthcare costs.

I must declare I am not a doctor, but I can say that I had high cholesterol which the doctor wanted me on Lipitor, I started to eat a package of @!$%#aki mushrooms twice a week and dropped a hundred points in two months. I also have had gout that the doctor wanted to prescribe Uloric for, and after two years, eating cherries once a week, have not had a flare. Every time a bug comes into my house with my kids, I drink a small amount of vinegar, and have not had a cold or flu in five or more years. To be honest, I don;t even remember the last one, and that is with three kids in school.

Sorry about the ramble, my only point is that the FDA is doing Americans a great wrong by promoting things that have side effects that will kill people and make them unhealthy, and is driving the price of health care through the roof, when ten dollars a week would have more benefit at the local grocery store.

John, I wish I could vote for your post 1,000 times. Problem is there are so many people unwilling to believe that big pharma and the FDA are in bed together and they are making billions off of keeping people sick. If everyone were to become educated on natural cures, our health care costs would be reduced so dramatically I question if there would even be a need for insurance except for injuries and accidents.

6-3, the law stays.

Thanks for bringing this to the debate, Floyd!

It is sure to set some of those who lurk around here follicles on fire! ☺

Good Morning IR,

Very Good.

Thanks

Good Morning IR,

Very Good.

Thanks

Excellent IR -- Let's start with facts!

7-2 Fail.

IR, well said. Facts is a good place to start.

Too bad republicans lawmakers and now GOP candidates have spent three years speaking anything but facts. While everyone can agree to disagree about the "mandate", the rest of the law is good for the people because it favors the health of people over the profit of insurance companies who trade our health on Wall Street. Oddly enough, it is the insurance companies who like the "mandate".

Don't Carry, I think it was you who mentioned Fareed Zacharias health insurance special. I watched it Saturday evening, very informative.

Independent Redneck Va.

Health-care reform, part one

I’m going to do this so you’ll Yahoo’s have a steady factual bases from which to start your discussion from. No opinion just the facts. Later in the week when we have brought out all the relevant facts then we’ll get into opinions as to where you think the Court may go from here. Please do me the courtesy of at least basing your hyperbole on a least a modicum of reality.

Independent Redneck Va.

Excellent

I hope you don't mind. I would like to say with all the "F" ups the Robert's court has done; I don't think he can afford another screw up. They "F" ed up Bush v Gore and Citizens United. Since Roberts is set for life, so is our favorite Uncle Tom, Justice Thomas, btw, what does Justice Roberts have to lose or gain? And why should he care?

Furthermore, I trust our President's Judgement.

Obama 2012

I read the same article. . .

If the Court kicks this can down the road, it will be the worst nightmare Obama could have faced.

Imagine the Court ruling that people have to be "harmed" first.

The mother in law won't vote for him.

You are asking for a lot IR----a modicum of reality on a Monday morning!

The Commerce clause issue is the most interesting to me. It was one of the base arguments of the civil rights movement---the impact on interstate commerce of discriminatory practices in, for example, restaurants refusing to serve African-Americans. With multi-state employers these days plus the impact on the entire economy of uninsured people, seems to me health care does have an effect on commerce.

Were it not for decisions like Citizens United, the outcome of this decision would be obvious. In a Supreme Court where politics DO NOT trump a Constitutionally-based decision, ACA would be recognized as the law of the land.

The argument about mandating insurance is beyond absurd. The Constitution mandates all kinds of insurance, not the least of which is insurance against foreign military attack. That's what the military is. Insurance! We all pay for it. If that isn't a mandate, what is?

The terms "general welfare" and "common defense" found in the taxing and spending clause may confuse the low-intelligence crowd, but a healthy nation speaks to general welfare. A safe nation is predicated on common defense.

If this nation was founded on Christian principles, as the hopelessly ignorant right-wing insists, sufficient grounds for upholding ACA are also available for a court of six Catholics and 3 Jews. In the Old Testament we have the good Samaritan and specific proscriptions against harming one's neighbors are found in the Commandments. What's the excuse when you let your neighbor die for lack of medical care? "Hey man, I didn't actively harm him!" He's your god, not mine. How do guess he's going to look on that argument?

The New Testament via the words of Christ in the Great Beatitudes speak to helping the sick and infirm. There are numerous stories to that effect, and all can be summarized in Jesus' guiding principle - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Finally, and this is rather amusing. Right now on one of the premium TV channels, there is a show in which a pawn shop proprietor is talking about his clients. He tells of two young guys who have brought items to pawn and are bitching about paying for national health care.

I paraphrase, but basically the proprietor looks with disbelief at these guys who are pawning their goods because they're broke. Obviously they can't afford medical care if they do something as minor as breaking their arm. The pawnbroker shakes his head and says, "That's you man, that's YOU!"

Ignorance is bliss.

IR, thankyou for this information today.

Who the *** with any decency at all, would want to take away health care from another human being?

Romney and Associates are saying "KILL IT"...and never mind who suffers or dies.

The 'religious' crew at their *** finest.

The cost of repealing the Affordable Care Act will end coverage for children with pre-existing conditions, protections from insurance abuses, and free access to preventive services. It will end no lifetime caps on healthcare coverage. It will end cheaper drugs for seniors. It will end the new law that says being a women is NOT a pre-existing condition.

Cost of GOP repealing the Individual Mandate according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Premiums will increase across the board by 25%. Because healthy folks are less likely to buy insurance unless required to do so.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas released his new financial disclosure form on Friday under pressure from Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and others.

Mother Jones reported that his financial disclosure form indicates his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, received a $150,000 salary from the group Liberty Central in 2010 and less than $15,000 from an anti-health care reform lobbying firm she founded.

Liberty Central, which she helped found, supports the repeal of the the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Weiner had taunted Thomas via Twitter on Friday, but his criticisms where quickly overshadowed by the so-called “Weinergate” fiasco that broke out Sunday. The congressman had previously called on Thomas to recuse himself from cases involving health care reform because of his wife’s financial connections to groups dedicated to its repeal.

“The appearance of a conflict of interest merits recusal under federal law,” a letter written by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and signed by 74 Members of Congress stated. “From what we have already seen, the line between your impartiality and you and your wife’s financial stake in the overturn of healthcare reform is blurred.”

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires Supreme Court justices to disclose their spouse’s income, but Thomas had not disclosed Virginia’s income on his financial disclosure forms for 20 years.

“We knew that Justice Thomas’ family had a financial stake in opposing health care reform,” Weiner said Friday in a statement. “Now we know even more. It’s pretty clear the justice has one option here: recusal.”

Well said David!

Pat Boone is my hero!

7-2 Fail.

5-4 Fail.

The loser has to take the winner out for lunch.

Independent Redneck Va.,

TRY AGAIN WITH YOUR SO CALLED FACTS.

A MONETARY FINE IMPOSED FOR NOT PURCHASING INSURANCE, IS NOT A "TAX".

Once again:

Buy Business Insurance (or you will be out of Business), buy Fire Insurance (or your home or business will burn down), buy Health Insurance (or we break your legs) - Organized Crime.

This was Ruled Unconsitutional and Illegal as Extortion and Racketeering.

SUMMARY: Trash can the Unconstitutional Illegal Extortionary (Insurance Corporation Racketeering) Health Care Reform Act. Get the Insurance Corporations out of the Medical Profession. Institute the President FDR Universal Health Care For All US Citizens.

Read the Rest of the FACTS including President Obama's Facts at !#1.115 - Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:35 AM HST

You state Government Programs like Medicaid, how about this you read up about the requirements to even obtain Medicaid, like Assets. How about this you sell off the place where you are living, how does that help you, when you are then homeless, just so that you meet the threshold for Medicaid.

Once again the Real Facts elude you, and those that agreed and voted for you uninformed non factual post.

http://www.medicaid.gov/index.html

david-475776:

Please show us how the fines will be levied and collected, absent an enforcement mechanism.

if the individual mandate is ruled unconstitutional .. how many other mandates are uncostitutional ..Auto Insurance .. Medicare .. Social Security .. Medicare part D .. a permit to carry a gun .. seat belts .. Driveing while texting

@David Walker: There will be an enforcement mechanism. This mandate really is somewhat akin to "requirements of inoculation's" of babies and Children to contain the spread of disease, and to insure better health for them. You will pay for it if you can afford it. If one can't pay, then the government will provide. One cannot choose not to have their children so protected, unless one wishes to be jailed.

Mac Forrester:

You wrote:

"There will be an enforcement mechanism."

However, at the present time, there is no enforcement mechanism. What you write is pure speculation. What else shows up in your crystal ball?

@David Walker#2.20: Of course I am speculating. At present the "mandate" is not in effect either. Simple logic tells me a mandate must be based upon some tangible means that guarantees It's adherence. Otherwise, the mandate becomes a mere hope. I would think initially, probably through IRS filings. Several other ways people who refused compliance could be caught too. Actually, we are putting the cart before the horse here. This mandate, is in fact constitutional. The SCOTUS may be so political that It rules it invalid. I really doubt it though. Once this is finished, and if the AHCA is intact, then, I believe Congress and the President will establish mechanics of mandate enforcement.

Mac:

What you say is true about the mandate not going into effect.....YET. However, that is written into the law. The enforcement is not. At any rate, I think we are arguing at the edges of what is really important. The Congress and the President have opened the door to a more efficient health care delivery system than the current wasteful and inefficient system, which is based on profit. Forget health care delivery. It's about money.

Why this debate continues, when it should be blindingly obvious that private insurance companies are THE de facto "death panels", absolutely blows me away.

Frankly, I don't see how the Supreme Court can find this unconstitutional, but this is the same activist court that says a piece of paper has unlimited free speech.

"Is the U.S. Supreme Court Controlled by the GOP" ?????????????

@David Walker #2.22: I am in complete agreement with you here. Actually though, if we remain a free republic, We will, sooner, rather than later, enact universal health care, with a single payer system. As a nation, we simply cannot sustain the present exploding costs of the really hodge podge, cobbled up mess, we now call our health care system. Hopefully, the SCOTUS will deliberate and rule within a constitutional, rather than political basis. I suspect this time It likely will. Hopefully then, the nation will use this ACA as a springboard to the healthcare sustenance we all so desperatly need and want. My regards to you Sir. I like the passion of your posts.

David Walker - david-475776: Please show us how the fines will be levied and collected, absent an enforcement mechanism.

Did YOU even read President Obama's Health Care Reform Act (aka Affordable Health Care Act, etc.).

Your post indicates that you did NOT.

So why are you even posting on Newsvine?

David lotsanumbers:

What a CS deflection. I asked you to show how levies and fines will be collected absent an enforcement mechanism.

You cannot. There is no mechanism. I cannot show you what is not there. Why don't you try showing me what isn't there?

David Walker,

As a former Teacher I refuse to spoon feed you, then have to change your diapers later.

That computer you are using is not just to surf for Porn.

DO THE RESEARCH. READ THE US LAW. DEVELOP YOUR COGNITIVE RESEARCH SKILLS.

Whether or not the President wins re-election, I will not judge his Presidency on health care reform (although it was needed and the ACA is a fair compromise if we are to keep an insurance company based system). To me the two accomplishments that should start a review of the Obama presidency are the fact that we did not have a Depression after the economy crashed and the fact that the world is safer with the war on terrorism being fought smarter and better.

I do think that the Roberts court must be stunned by the impact of the Citizens United decision. It is the logical conclusion of what they decided but I'm not sure they saw that from the halls of the Supreme Court building.

Steeler Fan, I will not judge President Obama on health care either. I think those who claim it as his sole "legacy" are way off the mark. Yes, it was landmark legislation that republican and democratic presidents have tried to accomplish since Truman. However, any legacy is not just a single piece of legislation, it consists of many, many other things. President Obama has a long list of accomplishments which combined will establish his legacy.

We all have a guess in the back of our mind and one is as good as the other. My guess is that they will weenie out until 2014.

Personally, regardless of how the SCOTUS rules, I applaud this President for tackling a monumental problem that reeks havoc on families, individuals and on the economy as a whole. So kudos to Obama for doing what other Presidents didn't have the courage to do. He stood up for people while others turned their back on them.

Steeler - or maybe the majority of the Supreme Court did not look at the long term effect Citizens United would have on this country and just saw the short term goal that unleashed greed could have on elections now.

Whatever it is - the Roberts Court will be known in the future forevermore by this one disastrous decision and by the scandals that are sure to follow.

What a legacy! And they can thank the backers of Citizens United for their tarnished reputations.

Katheryn,

Good observation. Do you think that maybe someday history will look back at the Roberts Court the same way the look at the Taney Court?

Katheryn---I'm pretty cynical but even I would hope that the justices were merely naive about the vast amounts of money that would be unleashed after their decision. It saddens me to admit you could be right, though.

Jody

His Court is under extreme criticism because of Citizens United. Is Roberts willing to risk his court becoming a target of more mistrust and anger adding to the sense citizens have that even our highest court has become politicized in favor of big business and the powerful? My guess is that Roberts will be very careful with this one.

I hope you're right, but I expect them to rule based on what is best for corporate interests. (See my post on the atrocity they committed in the Lilly Ledbetter case). Roberts doesn't seem to care much about anyone's opinion except for the opinions of the men who sit in an executive suite.

Steeler,

I believe that Citizen's United was long-strategized by the Ayn Rand anti-constitutionalist GOP/Koch-sters.

Previous President put those final righties on the Supreme Court, and sealed the unequal deal.

EXACTLY phine!!! Nice to know someone who knows their history!

Ah, Katheryn, those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it! :)

Backhouse

Steeler,

I believe that Citizen's United was long-strategized by the Ayn Rand anti-constitutionalist GOP/Koch-sters.

Previous President put those final righties on the Supreme Court, and sealed the unequal deal.

Backhouse

The Kochs are buying our Democracy

http://www.kochbrothersexposed.com/kochmansions

Koch brothers driving anti-Obama hate machine

It was imperative that they join forces, explained Charles Koch, "...to combat what is now the greatest threat to American freedom and prosperity in our lifetimes" -- the administration of Barack Obama.

This was not the first such meeting called by the Koch Brothers. They'd been holding semi-annual gatherings of corporate barons since 2003, sprinkled with right-wing journalists, politicians, and Supreme Court justices. Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas sat in. So did Jim DeMint, Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan, Chris Christie and Rick Perry. Conservative pundits Charles Krauthammer, Michael Barone and Glenn Beck shed any pretense of objectivity to attend and wow the crowd of executives representing many of America's biggest corporations: the Bechtel Group, the Fluor Corporation, Georgia-Pacific, Home Depot, Wells Fargo, the Blackstone Group, Circuit City, and Laredo Petroleum, among others.

And for the last three years, most of that money, directly or indirectly, has been fueling a hate-filled campaign against President Obama, marked by personal attacks worse than any American president has faced since Abraham Lincoln. Obama's been called a communist, fascist, socialist, Marxist, Nazi and America-hating terrorist. The chair of the Republican National Committee even compared him to the captain of the ill-fated Costa Concordia, a man responsible for the deaths of at least 17 passengers.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-201202021530--tms--bpresstt--m-a20120202feb02,0,6583217.column

Bev, great post.

Appreciate this link. We know the Koch Brothers are party to the destruction of America, as it pertains to ordinary people.

They are in that elite Ayn Rand/Shock group that is phazing out the middle class.

Beverly in Chicago,

Why don't you go research who President Obama's Buddy "Mr.Corporate America" is.

President Obama's Buddy "Mr.Corporate America" makes the Krotch Bros seem like two cent wanna be gangstas.

Steeler Fan-380417 - the fact that we did not have a Depression after the economy crashed

Try again, after the US Laws, the Glass Steagall Acts, were removed, those Causes of the 1907 Depression and the 1929-1939 Great Depression that were made Illegal by the Glass Steagall Acts became Legal once again. The US Economy is NOT instant Gratification, so just like after the Glass Steagall Acts were enacted into US Laws, it took from 1933 to 1939 for the US to emerge from the Great Depression, so like that 6 years, it took from 1999 and 2000 to 2008 for the US to get into the $60 Trillion to $100 Trillion "Global Economic Crisis" consisting of the "Mortgage Crisis", "Wall Street Crisis", "Financial Crisis", "Banking Crisis", "Credit Crisis", etc..

note: these current "Crisis" are identical to the "Crisis" of the 1929-1939 Great Depession including their Causes.

As previously created by President FDR AFTER his failed "New Deal to the American People" (US Government spending money did not have to create jobs), President FDR (his Presidential Papers) realized that US Consumerism would NEVER get the Great Depression but the Sales of "War Materials" (start of the current US Militar Foreign Military Sales Programs) would, so President FDR Nationalizes US Businesses and US Industry starting the current US Military Defense Industrial Complex, this gets the US out of the Great Depression 1939 before US Entry Into World War II 1941. His other actions were: Suspension of All US Labor Union Activities, as suspected Mussolini (Hitler) Sympathizers (later proven when the US Labor Unions Illegally and Violently Striked to stop the US Military Liberations of Sicily and Italy, President FDR authorizes the US Military Police to Use Deadly Force Against US Citizens to stop the Violent Strikes of the US Labor Unions, resulting in the US Military Police Machinegunning Violent US Labor Union members (BBC Documentary)). To cut the Funds from the "Italian Organized Crime" as Mussolini Sympathizers he institutes his Universal Health Care For All US Citizens, this eliminates the Insurance Corporations as owned by "Italian Organized Crime" from the Medical Profession; this also puts more money into the US Citizens pockets to spend to get the US Economy going again. Based on a US War Department Study to decrease the numbers of Catestrophic Accidents at US Munitions Plants and Factories, President FDR Nationwide implements those measures as Government mandated and enforced, Work Place Safety, minimum numbers of hours sleep, maximum numbers of hours work, Child Labor Laws (exemption family farms), incentives payments, skills for pay (minimum wages), etc. and the rest of the things that the US Labor Unions later claimed to have accomplished eventhough they could not because their Activities were suspended while all this was being implemented Nationwide by President FDR (as President, Commander In Chief, National Emergency (Pearl Harbor), Executive Orders, WWII, War Powers (Unrestricted before restrictions of the 1973 War Powers Resolution), Insurrection Act, Presidential Policies, etc..).

example of US Consumerism versus the Sales of "War Materials" (US Foreign Military Sales): How many Made In China Apple iPads would you have to sell to equal just one Made In US F-15 sold to US Ally Saudi Arabia.

So Steeler Fan-380417 if President Obama does not reinstate the US Laws, Glass Steagall Acts soon, the next already known "Crisis" of $54.6 Trillion will permanently sink the US into a Depression worse than the Global Great Depression (people literally starving to death).

Greece was just the start of the Legal (made Legal after the Glass Steagall Acts were removed) use of Financial Weapons of Mass Destruction, that are capable of destroying the Governments and Economies of Nations.

The Nations like China that retained their versions of the US Laws, Glass Steagall Acts, are immune from Financial Weapons of Mass Destruction. Based on this alone China is expected to Replace the US as a Superpower by 2015, with the US becoming a Fourth World Nation (living standards of like here (Afghanistan)). As the Chinese and Russian Federation increase their Strategic Sphere of Influence by using the Fundamentalist Islamic Republic of Iran as their "Proxy Fighter" and the Fundamentalist Islamic Republic of Iran uses the Fundamentalist Islamic Jihadists as their "Proxy Fighters" with the Strategic Goal of getting the US and US Allies out of their Backyards (Resources) of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, etc., basically like the Germans towards the end of World War II without resources the US and US Allies Run out of gas (fuel).

Katheryn Brandy - What a legacy! And they can thank the backers of Citizens United for their tarnished reputations.

You need to read the entire Transcripts. Then you will find out who President Obama's Buddy "Mr. Corporate America" is, as he legal briefed the US Supreme Court even before the Citizens United Case was even heard. As either the US Supreme Court Rules in favor of Unlimited Corporate Campaign Contributions or makes Illegal the 2008-2009 Elections, for his admitted violations prior to and during the 2008-2009 Elections of US Law, McCain Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. This Ruling was Required for President Obama to obtain the Unlimited Corporate Campaign Contributions from the Insurance Industry, Medical Device Industry, and Pharmaceuticals Industry of estimated $1 Billion of Unlimited Corporate Campaign Contributions. After the US Supreme Court Ruling of Unlimited Corporate Campaign Contributions as punishment for his admitted violating US Campaign Laws, President Obama's Buddy "Mr. Corporate America" was slapped on the wrist with a fine of $200,000.

You know Backhouse the Country term for a Backhouse is also a Outhouse, as in full of waste. You should consider changing your screen name (no sarcasm intended).

Katheryn Brandy - EXACTLY phine!!! Nice to know someone who knows their history!

THOSE WHO CANNOT REMEMBER THE PAST, ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT IT - George Santayana

Read the rest of post#1.115.

Jody, Iowa - President Obama has a long list of accomplishments which combined will establish his legacy.

Really? Let's talk about the Real World Life or Death School of Hard Knocks.

Starting with President Obama's March 2009 Improved Relations with Iran Policy (the Fundamentalist Islamic Republic of Iran allowed to do anything without US Interventions), and the Result (not academic idealisms):

Iran 2009 to 2012, Straits of Hormuz

http://david393071.newsvine.com/_news/2012/01/03/9928679-iran-2009-to-2012-strait-of-hormuz

How about the loss of all that Iraqis Oil to the Chinese and Russian Federation, that according to most was supposed to pay for the US Military Liberation of Iraq for decades, enjoy living like the Afghans here (no fuel). Most of you fail to even do the basic research into when, why, how, etc. the Wars at Iraq started.

Iraq

http://david393071.newsvine.com/_news/2011/10/17/8369272-iraq

Pertaining to the current $60 Trillion to $100 Trillion "Global Economic Crisis" (aka Depression) as what President Obama has NOT done:

The Current Global Economic Crisis

http://david393071.newsvine.com/_news/2011/02/22/6107088-the-current-global-economic-crisis

President Obama's January 21, 2009 Patriot Acts (plural) that extended the President Bush Patriot Act (singular) and legalized the Censorship and Monitoring of all US Communications (including the Internet), Preemptive Detentions, no Material Support to Terrorist Organizations (including Medical Supplies, Humanitarian Assistance, "Expert Advise" (no legal representation), etc.), without Warrant required cooperation of Internet Service Providers to provide your Physical Location(s), shipment of President Obama's Islamic Jihadists from Guantanamo to Gaddaffi's Prisons (later released by the Fundamentalist Islamic Jihadists of Al Quada (AQS, AQIM, AQAP, etc.), Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, Hezbollah, etc..

President Obama seen here during a staged News Media event on January 22, 2009 signing his President Obama Patriot Acts (plural) into US Law, 04:38 minutes of 11:55 minutes:

Naomi Wolf: 'Obama can lock any US citizen up without trial'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLSeD19m3UE

During his Presidential Campaign Candidate Obama made the Verbal Contract as his solution to stop the 1% of US Citizens of the US Military being on continuous Deployments by instituting the Selective Service and or Mandatory Compulsory US Military Service to force the 92% of US Citizens that have Never Served in the US Military to do their fair share as "US Military Service is a Civic Duty" and "US Citizenship is not an Entitlement". see youtube.com.

Instead of increasing the numbers of those to be deployed by instituting a Selective Service and or Mandatory Compulsory US Military Service President Obama decreased the numbers of US Military Personnel with his Reduction In Forces (RIF) of the US Military, with these US Military Personnel being thrown on US Unemployment: President Obama's Reduction In Forces (RIF) of the US Military as 80,000 US Military+ 27,000 US Military Personnel returning from the Wars+ 10,000 Returning from the Closed US Military Installations at Germany+ 5 more Brigades. This does NOT include the xxx,xxx US Civilians that are no longer needed to support the US Military to be RIF'ed by President Obama as Commander In Chief.

After the US Labor Unions that provide support to a USN Aircraft Carrier Strike Group at Virginia threatened to Strike on the steps of the Whitehouse, President Obama backpeddled on his April 2009 US Military Defense Budget Cut of one USN Aircraft Carrier Strike Group as stated in his 2012 State of the Union Address (his staffers and speech writers need to learn how to count USN Aircraft Carriers (Aircraft Carriers being Built, nor those pending being scraped (already striped) do not count). However, this does not consider the 95,000 US Civilians that were unemployed by President Obama's April 2009 US Military Defense Budget Cuts of the USAF F-22.

Pricey Jet Fighters Add Up To Local Jobs

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/25/eveningnews/main4893248.shtml?tag=mncol;lst;4

Personally, I could care less if all of you demand Cuts to the US Military Defense Budget; as stated by President Obama and President Obama's Flunky Secretary of Defense Leon Penetta a Cut of 10% of the US Military Defense Budget means 1 million US Civilians Unemployed.

So sure let the US Military throw out the almost hundred million overpaid expensive US Civilians out of the US Military and US Military Defense Industrial Complex and fill their jobs with below minimum wage US Military Personnel (including a President Obama promised Selective Service and or Mandatory Compulsory US Military Service (no exemptions, no deferments; VP Biden's excuse of School, 5 Student Deferments and 1 Medical Deferment invalid). That way the US Military does not have to pay US Civilians a "Fair and Living Wage" and have to pay $300 for a hammer or those expensive USAF Toilet Seats, the US Military can then go to Walmart and buy Made in China.

And just a reality once you chop the US Military Defense Industrial Complex that took from President FDR and the Great Depression to create that is how long it will take to recreate again (maybe never if you also give back the land to the States). So the US Military Defense Industrial Complexis NOT something that you can say, oh sorry I f**ked up and cut too much and threw too many US Civilians on Unemployment (would you go back to work for a company that previously dumped you on unemployment, as repeating the same mistake and expecting a different result).

Being a former Teacher before getting Recalled to Active Duty US Military again, there Katheryn Brandy is your History Lesson for Today (based on firsthand experience as a participant or actual verifiable research, not something from wikipedia (wikipedia disclaimer of validity of information posted on wikipedia) or something written by non participants from information from other non participants).

"Was the U.S. Supreme Court hijacked by the GOP in 2000" ??????????

Patriotic American U.S.A. - "Was the U.S. Supreme Court hijacked by the GOP in 2000" ??????????

You are proving just how uninformed you are. How about you researching the Electoral College.

david - you may think the Citizens United decision was the best thing since Rocky Rococo ice cream, but I still say I think it will go down in history as one of the worse decision a Supreme Court has made.

I don't know you, but I do trust John McCain's judgement on a lot of issues and he has gone on record as saying these judges made this decision out of naivete and sheer ignorance. He even went further - there will be scandals, and then we will have reform. I believe him.

Still say it was a very,very bad call.

Not look like him physically but his lifestyle. Newt, stop being an idiot

Romney and Santorum both made thoughtful, nonpolitical statements regarding Trayvon Martin after President Obama spoke. Newt Gingrich once again showed himself to be an arrogant, bag of bigoted hot air who prefers to blow dog whistles for those who will hear rather than make a reasoned nonpolitical statement about the killing of a young man who could have been anyone's child. Gingrich, his version of hate and his version of mean-spirited politics should have no place in the election process.

"""" hate and his version of mean-spirited politics should have no place in the election process.......""""

Really, Jody? Remember that the next time the Dems let Sharpton take part in their primaries and debates. And what does he do now? Oh yeah. He has his own show on the Dem's semi-official propaganda network.

Where was the concern and outrage from the left when 15 year old Mike Brewer was doused with alchohol and set on fire. He received severe burns over 60% of his body. The five boys responsible included 3 black classmates of the victim. It was just another news story sans moral outrage.

I don't say that what Zimmerman did was in any way justified. He should have let the police handle the "perceived" threat. I truly hope justice will be done for every one.

Damage - I guess Sharpton had to go with the semi-official democratic network because he couldn't get a job on the OFFICIAL Republican network.

justthinkin-2898128

Where was the concern and outrage from the left when 15 year old Mike Brewer was doused with alchohol and set on fire.

Were the guilty let off by an all-black jury or something? That would have been cause for outrage. But if the perpetrators were sufficiently punished for their heinous crime, then what are you whining about?

"I hope the U.S. Supreme Court doesn't make another mistake like they did with "W" in 2000"

America needs health care, what we don't need is the GOP/TP No Care !

The Tea ReTards call it, Don't get Sick-Nothing Care !

But, Amy, does it include dental? That's the only part that I can see myself actually using. (Love washing down those homemade Chocodiles with a nice swig of Mello Yello!)

Dental is not considered medical insurance

so your saying all this happened because of obama care?

Not to be contrary, Pat, but I can't tell by your words if you think ObamaCare would help prevent your problem or caused your problem. Are you saying ObamaCare caused your health insurance company to cancel your coverage? The ACA prevents any insurance company from cancelling a person's coverage for any reason, no more life-time caps on benefits, no more denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition. I think you support ObamaCare.

Jody,

I think Pat is saying that the only opinions opposed to the new health care law that should carry any weight are those of people who've suffered at the hands of the insurance industry the way she has.

Ok, so why don't all of you agree with this:

President Obama, Face The Nation, September 20, 2009:

Obama: No, the difference is that they're making huge profits on it, Bob. I mean, let's take the Medicare HMO programs that are being run by insurance companies. It's estimated by everybody that they're overcharging by about 14 percent. This amounts to about $177 billion over 10 years. About $17 billion a year, $18 billion a year. That's just going to pad their profits, hasn't been shown to make Medicare recipients any healthier. And in fact because those huge subsidies are going to insurance companies, Medicare recipients are not getting a good deal. Now if we are enforcing what should be the rules around Medicare and making sure the people are getting a bang for the buck, it's not going to be possible for insurance companies to simply pass on those costs to Medicare recipients because ultimately it's Uncle Sam that's paying for those services anyway.

As the "Insurance Companies" (Corporations) are the Problem with Health Care at the US. So you get rid of the Insurance Corporations out of the Medical Profession and US Health Care, end of problem. Then you institute President FDR's Universal Health Care For All US Citizens similar to what Senator Kennedy (RIP), that started all the US Health Care Reforms, wanted.

So, if you want to make this Political, ask yourselves, if President Obama knew that the Insurance Corporations were the Cause of the problems for US Health Care, why didn't he do something about them instead of rewarding their FraudulentBehavior against the US Citizens with $67 Billion of US Citizen (US Taxpayer) money in his Health Care Reform Act Section on Source of New Revenues. And do not even say Repugnants as this was in his DemoncrapThe President's Proposal before the Health Care Reform was even US Law or even being debated (was formulated after his closed door no Repugnants allowed Whitehouse meeting with the Insurance Corporations, Medical Device Industry, Pharmaceuticals Corporations. reference PBS Documentary "Obama's Deal".).

Hint all this is NOT about President Obama's Legacy. This is all about "US" as "Us" Citizens of the United States of America. Can we afford a US Budget Deficit for the Unbudgeted for by US Congress President Obama Health Care Reform Act with the majority of the 1.7 Trillion USDs to 2.1 Trillion USDs going to the ($67 Billion) Insurance Industry, ($23 Billion) Medical Device Industry, ($20 Billion) Pharmaceuticals Industry. All of you believed that the US Budget Deficit was a coincidence, well it was not, the US Budget Deficit and the Required Cuts to previously Budgeted for by US Congress Projects, Programs is to pay for the President Obama Health Care Reform Act.

As far as preexisting conditions, dropped by the Insurance Corporations, etc. why are the Insurance Corporations even involved with the Medical Profession (other than they previously bribed the US Politicians aka Lobbied.). Most of you FAIL, also to recognize that the Insurance Corporations are increasing their Insurance Premiums to make up for potential Future Losses due to the President Obama Health Care Reform Act (aka Affordable Health Care Act). As far as being dropped, the Insurance Corporations do not have to drop you, all they have to do is place you into the "High Risk" Category and jack up your Insurance Premiums to beyond your Financial Means, and you voluntarily drop their Insurance. This Insurance Corporation "High Risk" Category is where those that do not currently have Insurance will be placed by the Insurance Corporations. By requiring mandatory purchase of Insurance, all this means is that the Insurance Corporations have more required by US Law, Suckers (Customers) to deny Insurance Claims to make a profit.

By imposing Monetary Fines for not buying Insurance, this implies Criminality (start of a Criminal Record) or a possible Felony (Imprisonment) for those Fined. Of course all you young people don't give a f**k, it is only those old people above age 26 that have to worry. Hint ask the old people how fast the years go by. Five For Fighting - 100 Years http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR-qQcNT_fY&ob=av2e.

I used to think I would be young forever and an academic idealist until I received my Selective Service Card and matured as an 18 year old into a 30 year old (US Military, War and the Real World Life or Death School of Hard Knocks does that as either mature, learn, be responsible and accountable or die).

vince-1816768

... you do of course realize that the share of national income growth for the bottom 90% has been in negative territory. Where did it all go? the top .01% got 37% of it and the other 9.99 % got 63%. After the Great Depression, it was the middle class that grew in income while the top earners sank in income. It kinda got reversed this time. Must be something to do with the current tax system, no?

vince-1816768

I am middle class. I pay my taxes. Want to go head to head with me about it?

Vince, I am middle class. I am a former republican turned democrat because of Reagan. I worked all my life until I retired. I have paid my taxes. Your comment is an insult to every poor and middle class person who works hard to make a living and pays their taxes regardless of what their political affiliation is. I paid and continue to pay a higher tax rate than Mitt Romney who hides a good share of him millions in the Cayman Islands so don't accuse those with whom you disagree politically of being lazy and not paying our taxes when it seems the guy leading the GOP presidential nomination doesn't pay his.

Bravo, Jody *standing ovation*

Those on the right are fond of accusing anyone who opposes them of being lazy, on the dole, etc. Well--it just isn't true. I don't have Mitt Romney's 14% tax rate either. And I wonder why he hasn't released returns prior to 2010---could it be his tax rate was even lower?

Steeler Fan, thanks, Vince hit my last nerve with his comment. I am so tired of these right-wingers calling everyone they disagree with lazy people who don't pay their taxes, etc.

Medicare,Medicaid,SS all mandated to in your paycheck and they are excellent programs that need to be protected as is Health CARE and Affordable at that.

Medicare, Medicaid, SS all headed to bankruptcy, and taking the entire budget with them, and ACA paid for with $500B taken from Medicare (shhhh, don't tell seniors that we're gonna bankrupt Medicare EVEN FASTER!)

LyingRepublicans,

How about FACTS.

President Obama, Face The Nation, September 20, 2009:

Obama: No, the difference is that they're making huge profits on it, Bob. I mean, let's take the Medicare HMO programs that are being run by insurance companies. It's estimated by everybody that they're overcharging by about 14 percent. This amounts to about $177 billion over 10 years. About $17 billion a year, $18 billion a year. That's just going to pad their profits, hasn't been shown to make Medicare recipients any healthier. And in fact because those huge subsidies are going to insurance companies, Medicare recipients are not getting a good deal. Now if we are enforcing what should be the rules around Medicare and making sure the people are getting a bang for the buck, it's not going to be possible for insurance companies to simply pass on those costs to Medicare recipients because ultimately it's Uncle Sam that's paying for those services anyway.

As the "Insurance Companies" (Corporations) are the Problem with Health Care at the US. So you get rid of the Insurance Corporations out of the Medical Profession and US Health Care, end of problem. Then you institute President FDR's Universal Health Care For All US Citizens similar to what Senator Kennedy (RIP), that started all the US Health Care Reforms, wanted.

So, if you want to make this Political, ask yourselves, if President Obama knew that the Insurance Corporations were the Cause of the problems for US Health Care, why didn't he do something about them instead of rewarding their FraudulentBehavior against the US Citizens with $67 Billion of US Citizen (US Taxpayer) money in his Health Care Reform Act Section on Source of New Revenues. And do not even say Repugnants as this was in his DemoncrapThe President's Proposal before the Health Care Reform was even US Law or even being debated (was formulated after his closed door no Repugnants allowed Whitehouse meeting with the Insurance Corporations, Medical Device Industry, Pharmaceuticals Corporations. reference PBS Documentary "Obama's Deal".).

So now let's talk about Social Security as what Social Security REALLY is as a US Citizens (US Taxpayer) Contributory Fund, and NOT an "Entitlement". Do you have any idea why the US Politicians refer to Social Security as an Entitlement; because they robbed, looted and stole OUR money and do not want to pay all that money back. All US Politicians did that, Demoncraps, Repugnants, In Depends (In Adult Diapers); the Scrotums (Tea Baggers did not exist yet).

You want to talk about all the other "Health Care" Programs that the Insurance Corporations brided the US Politicians (Lobbied) to get themselves into to increase their Profits. How about US Military Health Care, as previously Free to Active Duty US Military and their Dependents as managed by the US Military Medical Service Corps. The US Military Medical Service Corps also responsible for creating more Trained Medical Doctors, Nurses, Medical Professionals via various programs like the US Military "Boot Strap" Program (Candidates sent to Medical School for an Obligation of US Military Service, Internship at US Military Hospitals, sometimes US Civilian Hospital, after US Military Service Obligation they are placed into US Military Reserve Status subject to Special Category Recalls to Active Duty until age 69.), so there was no shortage of US Medical Professionals. This was part of President FDR's Universal Health Care For All US Citizens during the Great Depression.

After the Insurance Corporations got involved with the US Military Health Care, payroll deductions for TriCare INSURANCE ! . US Military Health Care for Active Duty US Military Personnel and their Dependents no longer Free, with deductables. The US Military Medical Service Corps programs to create more Medical Doctors, Nurses, Medical Professionals scraped (Lobbied against by the Insurance Corporations bribes of US Politicians).

You want to discuss the other US Health Care, like Medicaid, and the Insurance Corporations involvements for Profits. How about Not for Profit Insurance Corporations, HMO, Membership Health Care Organizations, etc.; where do you think the money comes from to pay for their Insurance Corporation CEOs, Employees, Office Leases or Rent, Furniture, Utilities, etc..

Like I said before, the solution to end the Insurance Corporations greed to make money off of the sick, is simple, implement what worked before, President FDR's Universal Health Care For All US Citizens.

add to post#13.3.

Almost forgot. After being Released from Active Duty of the US Military Medical Service Corps and becoming a US Military Reservist, most of the Medical Professionals either went into Private Practices (skills they obtained from their US Military experience, instead of them "Practicing" on you (Civilians) to develop their skills.), worked for the Veteran's Hospitals, or became employed by Hospitals.

Outdoorsman,

I hate to tell you, but you are paying for it now..Why should I, as a responsible citizen of these United States, who pays for their health care, have to pay for someone's health care that chooses not to buy health care? My premiums continue to increase in order to pay for those that are irrresponsible, don't buy health insurance, but we then need care they go to the emergency room..And I end up paying for it. Is that fair?

You're already paying for those who do not have health insurance. A percentage of every premium dollar you pay or insurance deduction from your paycheck as well as the employer portion goes to cover the Emergency Room visits by those who do not have health insurance. Your doctor visits cost you more, hospital stays cost you more because the doctors and hospitals charge higher costs to cover their losses from those whom they must treat but who cannot afford or refuse to buy health insurance. Seems to me your outrage is misdirected.

In 2004 the Bankrupt Illegal Alien Harbor State of California spent over $10 Billion on Illegal Aliens, as $7.7 Billion on the Free Education for Illegal Aliens, $1.4 Billion for Free Health Care for Illegal Aliens, $1.4 Billion for the Imprisonment of Illegal Aliens convicted of Violent Crimes like Murder, Rape, Gang Intiations (Rape then Murder), Armed Robbery, Armed Assault, etc..

To avoid apprehensions and deportations, Illegal Aliens do NOT fill out Employer Paperwork as used by ICE to determine which Businesses to Raid as praised by President Obama as "Cost Effective". By not Filing out Employer Paperwork and working for Cash Only, they remain undetectable; but, the Illegal Aliens are also NOT paying State and Federal Income Taxes, this is called Felony Criminal Tax Evasion. Felony Criminal Tax Evasion was previously used by the US Justice Department to imprison many of Organized Crime for very long Federal Prison sentences after all attempts to prosecute them for Murder, Extortion, Racketeering, Conspiracy to commit...., etc. failed. This also lead to the confiscation of Las Vegas and Reno Nevada from "Organized Crime". This is what caused the significant decrease in the State of California's Revenues (Collected Taxes).

During the time, 2004, when the Bankrupt Illegal Alien Harbor State of California spent over $10 Billion on Illegal Aliens, they collected Sales Taxes (and some Income Taxes from the later apprehended and deported (not too smart) Illegal Aliens) of $17 Million. $17 Million did NOT pay for the over $10 Billion spent on Illegal Aliens (Uh Duh).

outdoorsman253 - Just like this so called president that we have the Obamacare is illegal.

The President Obama Health Care Reform Act is Illegal as Extortion and Racketeering of the Insurance Corporations.

Legal Precedent:

Buy Business Insurance (or you will be out of Business), buy Fire Insurance (or your home or business will burn down), buy Health Insurance (or we break your legs) - Organized Crime.

This was Ruled Unconsitutional and Illegal as Extortion and Racketeering.

However, why is President Obama Illegal. He was born at Hawaii (forget the Birther crap). Is it because his US Citizenship was removed by his mother Stanley Dunham while he was a student at Indonesia and his US Citizenship was never reinstated with US Embassy, US Department of State, US Immigration and Naturalization, etc. Paperwork. Darn those bureaucrats. Go research the procedures required for reinstatement of a revoked US Citizenship.

Barry Sorento as an Indonesian Citizen (line 3) after his mother removed his US Citizenship (Indonesia does NOT allow Dual Loyalties (Citizenship)). Declared as Islam (line 4). Place of Birth Honolulu Hawaii (line 2.). Signature by his Step Father verifying information (line 8). Indonesian Official Signature verifying information (line 10).

http://nightwatch1.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/obama-indonesia.jpg

No Required Paperwork like this for Barry Sorento to return to the US.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_clW92NzmFvI/TGTGIfXJeUI/AAAAAAAAEB8/QUoFZSMYCgM/s1600/000-4.jpg

Tin hats for sale! Cheep! These types are sounding dumber and dumber with their cries of disaster and destruction. Drowning in their own poison kool-aid.

Obahhhhma! Obahhhhma! Obama/Biden 2012!

We know for sure that republicans are not for women's rights.

The republicans are frothing at the mouth to remove any regulations that would keep wall street from robbing us again.

All the republican presidential nominees including Ron Paul have signed a person-hood amendment pledge to overturn Roe v Wade. It would not only make most birth control illegal but would make a miscarriage a murder investigation. This law is so radical that the republicans could not get it passed in ultra-conservative Mississippi. But the republicans now want to push it on the entire nation.

The republicans have been attacking planned parenthood and have been passing laws to restrict women from their constitutional rights.

As if that is not enough, the republicans have been attacking voters rights and worker rights.

The Ryan plan not only kills medicare, but sets us up for the killing of social security.

Just to show their support for our veterans the republicans with the Ryan plan cuts 11 billion from the veteran programs. The republicans claim to care about veterans and they do this to them, imagine what the republicans will do to the rest of us.

Reminds me of Reagan when as governor of California he threw all the sick Vietnam vets out into the streets as a money saving measure. From one day to the next we had homeless vets everywhere in San Francisco where I lived at the time.

Then republicans want to claim they are the smart ones as they vote to increase their taxes to pay for more tax cuts for Romney and his rich 1% friends.

IF YOU VALUE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE DON'T BUY INTO THE REPUBLICAN LIES.

VOTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS....

VOTE FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS....VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

Obama is destroying EVERYONES freedom. Have you heard of the patriot act? The NDAA?

Are you aware Obama signed HR 347 now it is a FEDERAL OFFENSE to protest on federal land or near someone getting secret service protection?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqYUdZfE5Ww

Please pull your head out of your butt if you are for freedom stop telling people to vote for the president that has destroyed more American's freedom than all other presidents combined.

rose you should of known that when they handed bush the election over Gore, and if that didnt convince you, the resent campaign ruling where they say corporations are people too(romney didnt make this up) and now any person or company can donate unlimited amounts to any political pact and don't even have to reveal who they are, you can basically buy a election these days

'TR' Rose II - We thought the SUPREME COURT was meant to be our protector, not a political corporate football to kick around and make us think they're guarding the American People against corporate rule!!!

LOL. Like I said before INSURANCE CORPORATIONS. And President Obama's Buddy "Mr.Corporate America". There is big bucks to be made by the INSURANCE CORPORATIONS by having a US Law saying Mandatory purchase of their INSURANCE.

'TR' Rose II - ARE WE WRONG? Did they BUY them too!

Uh, you elected President Obama so as a package deal you also got President Obama's Buddy "Mr. Corporate America" so of course "Corporate America" bought the US Supreme Court as recommended by President Obama's Buddy "Mr.Corporate America".

not a troll,

Yes, you are a troll, not a troll. Go research the Electoral College.

I didn't like the Court's decision on Roe V Wade, but I accept it. It is the final decision in our system so if you don't like the way it's done, move to another country where the system of checks and balances are better.

Employers aren't dropping health care any more now than they did 10 years ago. Why? Because it is a benefit luring good employees to their companies. The best thing that could happen is for this country to rid itself of a mostly employer-provided health care system, and rid itself of the for-profit insurance providers who trade health care as a commodity on Wall Street and instead have a single-payer administrative system yet keep the care itself in the hands of private doctors and hospitals. It would make our businesses far more competitive because it would relieve employers of this expense.

My employer did not drop health insurance, they just made it so expensive that many started to drop out.

I know because I was the one who posted insurance payments taken from employees paychecks. I had to keep track of who was on insurance and who wasn't.

I started out paying $15 a month for the very best insurance and 6 years later insurance not even as good as the original was $300 a month. This was 2004-2010. This was for a single person, families were much more expensive.

The republicans are always whining about death panels as if the over 40 million people without health insurance aren't already on one.

VOTE FOR WOMEN'S FREEDOM.....VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

Jody,

What about the physicians that are no longer willing to treat medicare patients?

So f**king funny. Most of you rant, rave, foam at the mouths against Corporations, CEOs, etc..

But when President Obama wants Corporate Welfare for the Insurance Corporations by making you buy their Products (Insurance) as well as giving the Insurance Corporations $67 Billion US Taxpayer Money in the Section of Source of New Revenues of his Health Care Reform Act, all of you dance around like Snow White.

Just because President Obama's Health Care Reform Act says Insurance "Industry", Medical Device "Industry", Pharmaceuticals "Industry" does not make them any less being Corporations.

Government run health care is unconstitutional.

[Shouldn't ElenaKagan recuse herself as she was one of the architects of Obamacare?]

Chief Justice John Roberts has already weighed in on this issue and determined that there is insufficient cause for Justice Kagan or any other Justice to recuse herself/themselves.

Thanks Dennis. I did not know. I hope she is objective.

If Elena Kagan recuses herself, then Thomas and Scalia should do the same. Fair is fair.

If Thomas votes against it, and cannot come up with an argument that passes muster with most legal scholars, then he should be removed. My feeling is Thomas is more of an ideologue than a judge.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas released his new financial disclosure form on Friday under pressure from Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and others.

Mother Jones reported that his financial disclosure form indicates his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, received a $150,000 salary from the group Liberty Central in 2010 and less than $15,000 from an anti-health care reform lobbying firm she founded.

Liberty Central, which she helped found, supports the repeal of the the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Weiner had taunted Thomas via Twitter on Friday, but his criticisms where quickly overshadowed by the so-called “Weinergate” fiasco that broke out Sunday. The congressman had previously called on Thomas to recuse himself from cases involving health care reform because of his wife’s financial connections to groups dedicated to its repeal.

“The appearance of a conflict of interest merits recusal under federal law,” a letter written by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and signed by 74 Members of Congress stated. “From what we have already seen, the line between your impartiality and you and your wife’s financial stake in the overturn of healthcare reform is blurred.”

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires Supreme Court justices to disclose their spouse’s income, but Thomas had not disclosed Virginia’s income on his financial disclosure forms for 20 years.

“We knew that Justice Thomas’ family had a financial stake in opposing health care reform,” Weiner said Friday in a statement. “Now we know even more. It’s pretty clear the justice has one option here: recusal.”

Really...you're holding the "Weener Man" up as a paragon? I'm surprised he found the time to do anything besides send women pictures of his junk.

Blamo, what about Justice Thomas?

That said, what Blamo suggests is what should trouble everyone regardless of their political beliefs--has the Supreme Court become an arm of politics when it once was apolitical. Do citizens trust SCOTUS as much as we used to? When we have Justices like Thomas, Alito and Scalia participating in secret meetings with big business and one whose wife is a staunch Tea Party supporter speaking and being paid to lobby against health care among other things, it should raise huge questions for every person, R or D or neither. The mistrust began with SCOTUS stepping into the Gore V Bush election when they should have stayed out of it; throw in Citizens United and the many rulings that favored big business over working people and we perceive something run amok in the Supreme Court.

Jody, Iowa - SCOTUS stepping into the Gore V Bush election when they should have stayed out of it

Go Research the Electoral College and Written Election Procedures.

Jody, Iowa - throw in Citizens United and the many rulings that favored big business over working people and we perceive something run amok in the Supreme Court.

Did you bother to Read the Legal Brief to the US Supreme Court by President Obama's Buddy "Mr.Corporate America" before Citizen's United Case was even heard by the US Supreme Court. When you elected Candidate Obama to be US President you also got his Buddy "Mr. Corporate America" as a package deal.

Jody, Iowa - many rulings that favored big business over working people

So f**king funny. Most of you rant, rave, foam at the mouths against Corporations, CEOs, etc..

But when President Obama wants Corporate Welfare for the Insurance Corporations by making you buy their Products (Insurance) as well as giving the Insurance Corporations $67 Billion US Taxpayer Money in the Section of Source of New Revenues of his Health Care Reform Act, all of you dance around like Snow White.

Just because President Obama's Health Care Reform Act says Insurance "Industry" ($67 Billion), Medical Device "Industry" ($23 Billion), Pharmaceuticals "Industry" ($20 Billion) does not make them any less being Corporations, and the $67 Billion, $23 Billion, $20 Billion of US Taxpayer money given (not loaned) to them is nothing less than Corporate Welfare.

We already know Scalia and Thomas are voting against the entire law for political reasons. Alito will almost certainly join them. Which is why experts are predicting the law will be upheld by no more than a 6-3 vote.

Roberts is under intense scrutiny since he spearheaded the Citizens United disaster, which is why he may feel compelled to follow the law this time and break from his Republican friends.

Clotho,

I wouldn't bet the farm on that for several reasons. One, he has a lifetime appointment. Two, unless he is one of those people that worry about his legacy, he will do what is popular in the "now" - and keep with his party.

It's a sure bet that Clarence Thomas has already made his decision on this matter.

And Kagan and Gingsberg haven't??

REALLY?

Who do you think Ruled 2010 in favor of President Obama's January 21, 2009 Patriot Acts (Plural) specifically the Section of "Material Support to Terrorist Organizations". Can you uninformed say, Chief Justice John Roberts. The other justices in the majority were Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, John Paul Stevens and Clarence Thomas.

And you know what the irony is. Being US Laws, even President Obama cannot violate US Laws, especially one that he signed into US Law(s). So guess what about providing Humanitarian Assistance, Medical Supplies, etc. to the Syrian Rebels; since SOS Clinton announced that the Syrian Rebels are backed by Al Quada Syria, Hezbollah (on SOS Clinton's US Department of State Terrorist Organization Lists).

Regardless of his own US Laws (Patriot Acts against the Material Support of Terrorist Organizations) President Obama gave Hamas (on SOS Clinton's Terrorist Organization Lists) $900 Million of US Taxpayer Money. The UN Humanitarian Assistance Organizations at Palestine advised President Obama that this was a very bad idea before President Obama gave Hamas the money. This money was then used to force more neutral Palestinians to join the Hamas Warlords or starve and face daily beatings. As new recruits to prove their loyalty to the Hamas Warlords they are first sent to Fundamentalist Islamic Jihadist Training Camps, then for a minimum of 9 months serve or longer if valuable as Fundamentalist Islamic Jihadists Worldwide as Hamas Foreign Fighters (Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, South and Central Americas, etc..) in return for their Service the Fundamentalist Islamic Republic of Iran provides more weapons, munitions, bomb making materials, funds to the Hamas Warlords.

To compound matters later on SOS Clinton gave Hamas $400 Million and after the money was traced (Hamas Warlords used as above), SOS Clinton made a speech that she did not know how the money was going to be used by the Hamas Warlords that control Palestine.

So sure, everyone in the US Military must really appreciate their Federal Income Tax Returns as bullets, IEDs, etc., bought using US Taxpayer money, from the Hamas Foreign Fighters.

Nine judges. Willy

Well, six judges and three conservative political operatives.

President Obama is a Great and Wonderful President. It's a shame that the far right bigoted hate machine hates him.

It is obvious you have not studied this presidency, or all it has accomplished. The "INCOMPETENT FAILURES" here are people like yourself who are either to lazy, or to brainwashed to actually do some RESEARCH and find out just what this president has accomplished. Despite being handed two treasury draining police actions, a massive recession, and a Congress that had a slim Democratic majority for two years, then a split congress from 2010 on and was obstructionist from day one of his presidency. With the obstructionism coming from Republicans AND so called Blue Dog Democrats who are actually Republicans/Conservatives who just happen to have "D" next to their name.

Considering all of the above, Mr. Obama has done an amazing job. That does not mean I agree with everything he has done. In fact, far from it. But it is obvious to any half way intelligent American that overall he has done a remarkable job.

Failures? We must be talking about this guy's blog post then??

And don't be thanking my God for you being and idiot!

(I Need A) JOB1- Just stop it! We ALL know you people are the haters. You hate George Zimmerman just for being a Latino! LOL. God, I love turning the libs ridiculous knee-jerk jerkiness back around on them.

People that are so blind that they see all opposition to Obama as racism are truly amazing. Can it be so hard to believe that people disagree with his policies? Is it so hard to believe that people strongly endorse health reform but not Obamacare? I bet it really is unbelievable to those folks that many on the Right would overwhelmingly support a Conservative Black President. But then again any conservative black man according to the left is an Uncle Tom. Personally I would whole heartedly support a Black Woman Conservative for President (Conde) given the opportunity. So put that in your bong and smoke it!

People "might" quit screaming racist if,,,,,,,,Conservatives could possibly quit calling him the "black" President and simply call him the President? Of course
alienating all minorites, Trying to take the rights of minorities and women, Attempting to suppress minority voters, etc, etc etc,,,,,,,Doesn't help either

Damage...for someone who speaks so loudly about how visceral other people can be on here, you surely are setting NO example of the opposite. Practically every post you put on here has some level of mean-spirited nonsense.

If you're going to throw rocks you might want to move out that glass house you're living in.

Dude, let's get down to facts. We can't EASILY pay for healthcare. We are BROKE and health care is not cheap.The only reason we are having this discussion is that states and localities are redlining from healthcare costs. Costs are projected to rise from about 15-20% of their budgets to 30% in the next 10 years with many contributors now retiring and collecting such benefits.

Reality check: I can pay my bills BUT right now I pay $2400 per month for my family of three for healthcare. That's about 18% of my take home BEFORE taxes. And I take this hit because my wife has a medical condition.

So we now double the size of the system. We also add revenues, but not in proportion to the millions of new people in the system. It's graduated. The result: we keep going broke, suddenly have a babyboom/immigration effort or we ration care.

To me, I get less benefits AND I get to pay more, so everyone else can have my now vastly reduced level of care. Is that the deal? And at the same time, I still pay more taxes for Medicaid, Medicare and a higher rate for income taxes? And the cost of healthcare does what? Goes down? No, it goes up, Up and UP.

And the money to pay for these increased costs comes from where? From my other pants pocket? Really?

There needs to be a universal level of care to take care of basic needs (just like Medicare - where everyone pays something). There needs to be catastrophic care coverage so you don't lose your house because of illness. We keep paying so the elderly and in firmed have some level of care. We need to have no pre-existing conditions. We can make it easier for companies to provide basic levels of coverage with employee support. But individuals NEED to pay for health care themselves. They buy and use it more wisely, and they pay what they want for the benefits they receive.

To assume the entire nation with its $15T debt - even if it trades some defense dollars - can increase its expenses by 20% over 10 years - without cutting lots of other things, or creating massive wealth through private sector jobs expansion and income taxes hikes, or anything more is totally and utterly misguided no matter the good intention.

ProgressiveforAmerica, Rick-307058,

Finally a real Adult discussion.

My question is why don't we use what already worked, and was being worked on by long time advocate of Health Care Reform, Senator Kennedy, as an Updated form of President FDR's Universal Health Care For All US Citizens (this is where most of the Nations after WWII got their idea of Universal Health Care from, like Germany under the US Military Government implementing the Marshall Plan).

As far as the 10% Cut to the US Military Defense Budget, is it true or false as to what President Obama and Secretary of Defense Leon Penetta stated, that a 10% Cut to the US Military Defense Budget means One Million US Civilians put on Unemployment.

The US Military is not part of the Problem; but, is part of the Solution, as previously part of President FDR's Universal Health Care For All US Citizens as the US Military Medical Service Corps. The Infrastructure to make President FDR's Universal Health Care For All US Citizens still exists today including the Office of the Surgeon General of the United States (Usually a US Military Doctor's Position, not some Insurance Salesman or Insurance Bureaucrat.).

As you mentioned, ProgressiveforAmerica, like I did also, the Problem is the Insurance Corporations involved with the Medical Profession and US Health Care. Same thing was stated by President Obama, Face The Nation, about the Insurance Corporations that manage Medicare making Profits (thru Fraud) of $17 Billion to $18 Billion each year as paid for by US Taxpayers.

The actual cost savings of getting the Insurance Corporations out of the Medical Profession is over 80% (already proven by being done at NYC, Decreases cost by 80% (last part of video) by Doctor David Ores, New York.1:45, http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5247963n&tag=contentMain;contentBody.

While living worldwide, not just visiting for a few months, I got to see and firsthand experience the Health Care (including Dental) at England (Irish Girlfriend, training with their Military, Redacted Warfare), Germany (graduated Deutsche Gymnasium, later home station and training with their Military, BMVg), Canada (training with their Military, Redacted Warfare), France (training with their Military), Turkey (training with their Military Mountain Warfare), Egypt (College Language Arabic, Islam), Norway (Redacted Redacted Warfare), Indonesia (attached to US Embassy), Saudi Arabia (Redacted), Italy (Redacted), Sudan (UN), Kuwait (UN), Belgium (HQ SHAPE), etc.. The Health Care Systems I would not consider at all are England, Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Italy. Last place would be South and Central Americas along with some of the Asian and African Nations and if you are a Civilian Iraq and here (Afghanistan) unless you are a US Civilian or US Military.